File photo of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
With the BJP prepping to contest crucial civic elections on its own in Kalyan-Dombivali, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today pulled out his first ace, discussing the contours of a smart city with about 1000 students from the Mumbai suburb in Thane district.
The Chief Minister was at the BJP office in Mumbai, nearly 45 km from Pragati College in Dombivali, where the students had gathered. They chatted on video conference, with Mr Fadnavis speaking in both English and Marathi.
Kalyan-Dombivali has been selected for the Centre's smart city project and will get Rs 6,500 crore for the development of the area into one. Mr Fadnavis used the project to connect with and woo young voters.
After an art and essay competition, the Chief Minister had invited 10 winners to give inputs on creating a smart city.
"After seeing the paintings and the brilliant ideas, I can say, these students are the architects of smart cities. The Municipal Corporation is a service provider. We must make sure we provide services smartly," Mr Fadnavis said, adding, "corruption is the biggest hindrance to smart services."
To the students the Chief Minister said, "You are smart champs and smart cities will definitely be a reality with people like you."
They discussed not only solar energy and rain water harvesting, but also students' worries like a lack of open spaces and play grounds and the difficulty for many in getting admission to colleges because of reservation.
The Chief Minister will in another room at the BJP office, meet senior party leader and ministers to discuss strategy for the Kalyan-Dombivali civic elections today.
Amid a bitter exchange of barbs, the Shiv Sena announced earlier this week that it will contest all 122
seats separately; the two parties currently control the Kalyan-Dombivali municipality.
These civic elections, expected to be held on November 1, are seen as a test, with both parties keen to fight the local body elections in Mumbai in 2017 separately.
The students have also participated in an art competition.