'Maharashtra needs change!' Aaditya Thackeray dismisses CM Shinde’s Mumbai toll waiver as ‘jumla’

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. (File Photo/PTI)

The Maharashtra government’s decision announcing a complete waiver of tolls for light motor vehicles entering Mumbai through all five toll booths has failed to impress the Opposition with the Shiv Sena (UBT) terming it as a “jumla” barely hours before the election code of conduct sets in.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are due to be announced and an announcement of the schedule is expected from the Election commission of India soon.

Taking to his X handle, former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray said that the government’s announcement of a toll waiver just ahead of elections was a clear indication of the Mahayuti’s desperation to sway voters.

“No amount of jumlas from the Shinde-BJP regime can sway Maharashtra,” Thackeray said.

“To have looted Maharashtra for 2 years and then to give a toll waiver hours before an election code of conduct, clearly shows how desperate they are to try and sway us, Maharashtra,” he added.

Making a case for “change” in Maharashtra, Thackeray said that the toll waiver announced today amounted to “peanuts” when compared to the “loot” carried out by the ruling government.

The state, he said, needed jobs, investment, political stability and law and order and a government that is sensitive to citizens.

The rule, announced by the Shinde government this morning, will be made effective starting Monday night.

"At the time of entry into Mumbai, there were 5 toll plazas, including Dahisar toll, Anand Nagar toll, Vaishali, Airoli and Mulund. Rs. 45 and Rs. 75 were charged at these tolls, this was in effect till 2026. About 3.5 lakh vehicles used to travel up and down. About 70 thousand of them were heavy vehicles and 2.80 lakh were light vehicles. Today, the government has decided to exempt light vehicles from toll after 12 midnight...The time that people used to spend in queues will be saved. The government was discussing it for many months and today this revolutionary decision has been taken," said minister Dadaji Dagadu Bhuse.

The decision was taken during the Maharashtra government’s final cabinet meeting before the upcoming Assembly elections. An estimated six lakh vehicles enter and exit Mumbai everyday.