A Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporator from Mumbai’s P East ward has written a sarcastic letter to Mayor Ritu Tawde, asking her to “adopt” the ward after allegedly receiving far lower development funds than corporators from the ruling alliance. The move has intensified the political row over alleged disparity in allocation of BMC ward development funds, with opposition parties claiming corporators from non-ruling parties are being sidelined.
Surekha Parab of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, who represents Ward No 38 in Appapada, said she was allotted only R85 lakh for development works, while corporators from the ruling alliance reportedly received between R2 crore and R5 crore.
With a large slum population in the ward and pending demands for drainage repairs, roads and other civic works, Parab said the allocation was insufficient to address local issues. In her letter sent on Wednesday, she said residents of opposition-held wards should not suffer because of inadequate funding.
‘Please adopt this ward’
In the letter, Parab sarcastically urged the Mayor to “adopt” Ward 38 and undertake the required development work herself if adequate funds could not be allocated.
Bhaskar Parab, MNS chief for the Dinodoshi Assembly constituency, said nearly 80 per cent of Ward 38 comprises slum pockets and lacks even basic public amenities.
“Large amounts are being given to high-profile areas, while wards that genuinely need investment to improve living conditions are getting minimal attention,” he said.
He added that while ruling party corporators may receive higher allocations, the current gap was too large and unfair to residents living in opposition-held wards.
Political row over allocations
The issue comes amid allegations by the Indian National Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and MNS that the BJP-led civic administration allocated significantly higher funds to ruling alliance corporators.
Recently, Mumbai BJP chief Amit Satam wrote to the BMC standing committee chairperson offering to return development funds allotted to six corporator wards in his Assembly constituency following the controversy.
Ward 38 at a glance
| Item | Detail |
| Ward | No. 38, Appapada |
| Civic ward | P East |
| Corporator | Surekha Parab |
| Party | MNS |
| Fund allocation | Rs 85 lakh |
| Alleged allocation to ruling alliance wards | Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore |
| Slum population in ward | Around 80% |
What ward development funds are used for
– Road repairs
– Drainage work
– Gardens and playgrounds
– Civic infrastructure upgrades
– Public amenities
Key numbers
| Item | Amount |
| Total BMC budget | Nearly Rs 80,000 crore |
| Funds earmarked for local ward works | Approx. R880 crore |
| Total corporator wards | 227 |
