File Photo: Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray
Mumbai Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today said it would set up self-help group stalls at Marine Drive seafront in south Mumbai if the open-air gymnasium on the famed promenade, inaugurated by Shiv Sena youth wing leader Aditya Thackeray, was not removed.
The gym structure was illegal, said Mumbai NCP president Sachin Ahir.
"Using political power to protect something illegal is wrong," he said, referring to the re-installation of the gym by civic authorities the day before yesterday within a couple of hours of dismantling it.
"Local residents are also opposing the gymnasium. We demand that it be removed immediately by the civic body. If our demand is not met, we will set up stalls of self-help groups on Marine Drive," Mr Ahir said.
"Ordinary citizens come to Marine Drive to relax and to spend time with family and friends. Encroachment of this kind on this heritage precinct is wrong," he said, hitting out at the Shiv Sena for putting up posters threatening anyone who dares to pull down the gymnasium.
Meanwhile, in response to Shiv Sena's posters, Congress MLA Nitesh Rane tweeted today that he would announce the date and time before coming to remove the gym.