After Lodha, Kesarkar is given office space in BMC

MUMBAI: After allocating office space to suburban guardian minister M P Lodha three months ago, the BMC has now extended a similar facility to city guardian minister Deepak Kesarkar.
The BMC in a statement issued on Tuesday said: "State School Education Minister and Mumbai City District Guardian Minister Deepak Kesarkar will be available every Wednesday from 1 pm to 4 pm at the BMC headquarters to know the problems of Mumbaikars.Guardian Minister Kesarkar will interact with citizens. On behalf of BMC an office has been made available."
CM Eknath Shinde is expected to be present at the office opening on Wednesday.
The decision came under fire from opposition parties, which argued that the BMC was operating beyond the boundaries defined in its act.
Clyde Crasto, spokesperson, NCP city unit, said the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act does not allow such office space for a minister. "The guardian minister can well sit in Mantralaya and address people's issues. They do not need to be present in BMC," Crasto said.
Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray said: "They (ruling parties) have been given the task to finish Mumbai's stature and treasury. The people will respond in polls." Richa Pinto