The death of Aslam Shaikh, an elderly man who fell into an open manhole during heavy rains in Mumbai, has sparked a political controversy. Congress MLA Amin Patel criticized the incident as an administrative failure, highlighting the misuse of funds meant for the city’s drainage system. Patel urged the Maharashtra government to provide Rs 25 lakh compensation to the families of the victims.
Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh emphasized the need for timely preventive measures and criticized the authorities for their delayed response. He called for strict action against those responsible for negligence leading to loss of life, pointing out the continued presence of open manholes despite court directives. Samajwadi Party MLA Raees Shaikh held the BJP-led civic administration accountable for the tragedy, urging the Mayor to apologize to the city’s residents.
BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar acknowledged the need for accountability in the administration but blamed the previous Shiv Sena-led BMC for the city’s infrastructure issues. Shiv Sena leaders called for a thorough review of such incidents and emphasized the importance of timely maintenance work before the monsoon season. They demanded strict action against all responsible parties, including officials and contractors.
