Aaditya Thackeray targets Mahayuti, warns of ‘destruction in the name of development’

Aditya Thackeray accuses Mahayuti government of ignoring climate crisis, endangering Maharashtra's environment with destructive projects.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Aditya Thackeray on Friday (April 18, 2025) accused the Mahayuti government of turning a blind eye to the worsening climate crisis and greenlighting projects that he claimed threaten Maharashtra’s ecological balance.

In a press conference held in Mumbai, Mr. Thackeray, who previously served as the State’s Environment Minister, said the government was “destroying jungles and the environment” under the guise of development, jeopardizing the monsoon and escalating the impact of climate change.

“We are against vinash (destruction), not vikas (development). The government is not taking climate change seriously. Our commitment is to the protection of forests, water, and the people,” he said.

Citing the recent State Wildlife Board meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the former State Minister hit out at the approval granted for the Gargai dam project in Palghar, claiming it would lead to the cutting of nearly five lakh trees to supply 450 MLD of water to Mumbai.

“This is nothing but a money game. They are playing with our future by destroying natural ecosystems that bring rain,” he said.

He also linked the State’s extreme summer temperatures — crossing 40°C in April — to the ongoing climate emergency, and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government of failing to act. He further blamed the administration for Mumbai’s mounting water woes.

“We raised the issue and even held protests over the water crisis, but our party workers were detained. The government has neither a plan nor the will to solve the problem,” Mr. Thackeray added.