Now, Shiv Sena creates map of nightlife hot spots in Mumbai

Mumbaikars were arguably overjoyed with Shiv Sena’s plan of a vibrant nightlife for the maximum city, but BJP played party pooper by asking Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria to withdraw the approval given to the proposal. However, Shiv Sena is determined to make sure their grand plans are not stalled. The party, which is already at loggerheads with its ally BJP over several other issues, has created its own map of areas in the city that should be nightlife hot spots. [caption id=“attachment_2150309” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] According to Mumbai Mirror, “These include several mills, malls and commercial hubs stretching from Nariman Point to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Malad in the suburbs. The Sena’s youth wing leader, Aditya Thackeray, who has championed the plan, will submit it to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis soon, party sources said.” Last month, Maria had approved the proposal of keeping pubs, bars and restaurants open all night with a caveat that they must not be located in residential areas. Subsequently, Aditya Thackeray, the president of Shiv Sena’s youth wing, discussed the matter with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and it is expected to be cleared in the ongoing budget session or the monsoon session. Accusing the BJP of needlessly politicising the issue of Mumbai’s nightlife, Thackeray defended Sena’s plan. He was quoted by Mumbai Mirror as saying, “We are not in favour of alcoholism or against local residents. We are in favour of taking no-objection certificates from residents where required. To say that allowing these places to be open all night will increase nuisance and antisocial activities is simply raising doubts about the integrity of Mumbaikars, the Home Ministry and the police.” Thackeray had earlier said, “necessary laws would be amended so that the financial capital can have a nightlife by the end of the year.” The 1.30 am deadline for restaurants and bars is likely to be discarded after the laws are amended, 24-year-old Thackeray, the son of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, had said. The extension of deadlines, as planned by Sena, won’t be restricted to pubs and bars. Milk shops and chemists would also be allowed to stay open through the night. The party also proposed that shops around railway stations be allowed to stay open as well.