Rs. 100 crore approved to build Bal Thackeray's sea-facing memorial
The Maharashtra Cabinet today approved Rs. 100 crore for the construction of a memorial for late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. The memorial will be built at a sea-facing property in Shivaji Park area. After the Cabinet meeting, state Finance Minister and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said, "Late Balasaheb Thackeray wasn't just leader of the Sena but also a leader of the BJP-Sena alliance."
BJP-Shiv Sena relations 'were and will remain sweet', says Mungantiwar
Mungantiwar said that relations between the BJP and its ally Shiv Sena "were and will remain sweet". There are "high chances" of a tie-up between both the parties (for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections) because the BJP has always been in favor of an alliance, he added. "Balasaheb will remain a person of high importance for all political parties," the minister shared.
Funds for memorial will be provided by MMRDA
The senior BJP-leader further said, "Therefore, in today's Cabinet, Rs. 100 crore has been approved for his memorial, which will inspire the youth." He said funds for the memorial will be provided by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the BJP-led state government will ensure its availability. The Sena is an ally of BJP at the Center and in Maharashtra.
'BJP and Sena will forge an alliance ahead of polls'
The Shiv Sena often criticize BJP's governance at Center and in Maharashtra. Last year, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party had announced to go solo in future elections. However, Mungantiwar expressed confidence that both the parties will be able to forge an alliance ahead of the polls. The BJP has observed that there's an exceptionally good response from Sena ministers in the Cabinet meetings, he said.
The memorial property has been handed over to Thackeray trust
Mungantiwar said, "Sena ministers congratulate the CM on various issues and also back BJP on farmers' issue". The memorial is set to come up at a location where Mumbai mayor's bungalow was located earlier. The prime sea-facing property, measuring around 11,500 sqm, was handed over to the 'Balasaheb Thackeray Rashtriya Smarak Nyas' (trust) last year, clearing the decks for the memorial.
