Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday (August 23, 2026) accused the BJP-controlled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) of giving open spaces to institutions linked to the party’s lawmakers.

If a need arises, Mr. Thackeray warned, he would do a sit-in outside the BMC office to reclaim the open spaces.

The former Maharashtra Minister was speaking at a rally organised to protest against the BMC’s decision to convert the Neville D’Souza football turf in Bandra into a convention centre.

He said a legal battle has also been initiated in court to save the ground.

Mumbai’s open spaces, playgrounds and recreational grounds should be kept as they are, without changing their reservation status, he said.

“Mumbai is witnessing a change. For the last four years, the reservation of more than 15 open plots has been changed to residential or commercial,” Mr. Thackeray alleged.

He said when his party controlled the BMC, it did not allow any change in the reservation of open plots.

He further said three plots in Andheri-Juhu are being given to institutions controlled by BJP lawmakers. Similarly, reservation of a plot meant for a sports complex has been changed to make way for a petrol pump, he claimed.

Mr. Thackeray said he is not opposed to development, but it should be done in a sustainable manner.