Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on a one-day private visit to India’s financial capital, Mumbai, reached Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi on Thursday afternoon. He was accompanied by local leaders and MP Varsha Gaikwad.
Here, Gandhi spoke to the labourers and small and medium entrepreneurs from the leather industry in an attempt to understand the challenges faced by leather workers. He also visited the famous Brand Chamar studio in Dharavi.
The Congress leader has constantly opposed the Adani group of bagging key projects and alleged the ruling BJP of favoring the conglomerate. Earlier in the day Gandhi was welcomed by Congress leaders of the state including Varsha Gaikwad, Satej Pail, Bhai Jagtap and Vijay Wadettiwar.
Dharavi Redevelopment Project
In November 2022, the Adani group emerged as the highest bidder (INR 5,069) to win the auction for the Dharavi redevelopment project.
The Dharavi redevelopment project is a joint venture between the Adani group and the state government. There are around 850,000 residents in the Dharavi area. The redevelopment area is around 600 acres.
Opposition Alleges Scam
Congress MP and former MLA from Dharavi Varsha Gaikwad has been vocal against her views against the Adani group bagging the project.
The lawmaker has accused the state government of orchestrating a major scam with the Dharavi Development Project and has alleged that the contract was designed to benefit industrialist Gautam Adani.
Dividing Views In Opposition
On one hand, the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) opposed the Dharavi redevelopment project on the other NCP (SCP), Patraich Sharad Pawar had said speaking to a digital news channel that “The Dharavi issue is not at all there.”
Dharavi- A Congress Bastion
Dharavi has been a Congres bastion since 1999. In the 2024 election Jyoti Gaykwad won from the seat after her sister Varsha Gaikwad who vacated the seat after wining Lok Sabha Elections from the Mumbai North Central seat. Earlier the seat was held by her father Eknath Gaikwad.
Rahul Gandhi will be leaving from Mumbai for Ahmedabad on Friday morning.
