Minister Pratap Sarnaik's big announcement on keeping Balasaheb Thackeray Art Gallery closed, will personally give Rs 10 lakh every month!

Mira-Bhayandar, 6 November (City News Mumbai)

Maharashtra Transport Minister and Guardian Minister of Dharashiv district Pratap Sarnaik has taken an aggressive stance on the issue of keeping the grand art gallery built in Mira-Bhayandar in the name of Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray closed. He has announced that if the municipal corporation does not have the financial arrangements for the operation and maintenance of the art gallery, he will give Rs 10 lakh every month out of his own pocket.

Minister Pratap Sarnaik said that keeping this structure associated with the name of Balasaheb Thackeray closed by citing expenses as the reason will not be tolerated. He also said that from next month, this amount will be deposited directly into the Mayor's Fund.

In fact, so that children and students could get the benefit of the art gallery during the Diwali vacation, Minister Sarnaik had directed the municipal corporation in the previous review meeting to keep it open free of charge for 15 days. In this sequence, he himself visited the art gallery on Friday and gave the students present there an opportunity to enjoy it. Municipal corporation officials concerned were also present during this.

The Minister demanded that the Mayor state in writing whether the municipal corporation is unable to run this art gallery due to its financial condition.

Targeted those in power over corruption allegations

Minister Sarnaik targeted the ruling public representatives on the issue of keeping the art gallery closed by alleging corruption in its construction work. He questioned how people who themselves face allegations of corruption get the moral right to question such an important project?

He alleged that some people create obstacles in development projects and come forward to take credit after the work is completed. According to him, controversy is being created due to political malice regarding development projects worth crores of rupees brought into the city through his efforts.

From cluster to metro, dispute over credit for development works

Minister Sarnaik also raised the issue of cluster scheme, metro project, water problem, and redevelopment of old and dangerous buildings.

He alleged that due to opposition to the cluster scheme over the last three years, more than 178 landless and poor families had to face homelessness. He claimed that the mini-cluster ordinance was secured through continuous efforts at the government level, but now attempts are being made to take credit for the same work.

'Will run the art gallery to protect the pride of Balasaheb's name'

On the entire matter, Minister Pratap Sarnaik said that we should work hard for the development of the city, other people should create obstacles in the path of projects, and come forward to take credit after the work is completed—this politics will no longer be tolerated in Mira-Bhayandar.

He said that to keep the art gallery built in the name of Balasaheb Thackeray alive and to maintain its dignity, he is ready to run it at his own expense. The Mayor should just inform him in writing that the municipal corporation does not have the financial standing to operate it.

Following this announcement by Minister Sarnaik, a new controversy has erupted in the politics of Mira-Bhayandar regarding the operation of the art gallery.