Thakarsi House: A new address of political parties

An obstacle in the way of Metro-3 project has been removed as political parties have given their nod to shift their offices from Nariman Point to Thakarsi House of the Mumbai Port Trust, informed R. Ramanna, executive director (planning) of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC).

The Nariman Point based offices of various political parties, except Shiv Sena, will now be shifted to the Thakarsi House for next five years. The Sena leaders had refused to shift their party office at Thakarsi House and instead sought State government’s permission to transfer their office in minister of state Ravindra Waikar’s official bungalow. The State government has permitted Shiv Sena to use Waikar’s bungalow as party office and hence Sena office will be shifted there, informed Ramanna.

Meanwhile, the leaders of political parties have reportedly given their consent to shift when the electricity of party offices was cut off.

The parties whose offices to be shifted temporarily at Thakarsi House include NCP, Congress, Bharip-BMS, Peasant and Workers Party, PRP, Republican Party of India, Samajwadi Party, etc. The MMRC administration has completed the process of transferring these offices and has also started the work on Metro-3 project. The MMRC had earlier issued notices to these political parties asking them to shift their offices till April 4 but in vain. Finally, the MMRC disconnected electricity of these offices on April 23.

Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said that his party’s office will be shifted to Thakarsi House soon. Meanwhile, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik has expressed displeasure over the government and MMRC action.

Ramanna further informed that the political parties are offered 18,000 sqft offices in the Thakarsi House and all these are fully furnished. For next five years, these parties will operate from Thakarsi House and thereafter their permanent rehabilitation should be done as per government directions, he added.