Ashish Shelar Rebuts Shiv Sena (UBT) Over Bandra Ground Redevelopment

BJP MLA and minister Ashish Shelar on Thursday hit back at the Shiv Sena (UBT) amid an escalating dispute over the proposed redevelopment of the Neville D’Souza football ground in Bandra, accusing the opposition party of distorting facts regarding the land's ownership and intended use.

Dismissing allegations that the Bandra plot was being put up for sale, Shelar questioned whether the site had ever been officially named after former Indian footballer Neville D’Souza by authorities such as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), MHADA, or the Maharashtra state government.

Shelar noted that because the matter is currently pending before the High Court, he would refrain from elaborating further for the time being. He stated that once the court proceedings conclude, he will place the full facts before the public.

Responding to the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s wider campaign on open spaces, Shelar argued that the opposition should first address open-space concerns in areas under its own influence. He suggested that any campaign should examine sites such as the Prabhodankar Thackeray ground in Goregaon and raised questions regarding the ownership, occupancy, and legal rights of the Dahisar sports complex.

Addressing the Bandra ground dispute, Shelar emphasised that redevelopment and sale are distinct matters, maintaining that the BJP's position is to protect and develop open spaces rather than sell them or convert them into clubhouses.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has actively opposed any moves that would alter the character or use of the Neville D’Souza ground, while the BJP maintains that the plot is not being sold.