By Aleem shaikh
Concerned citizens and activists who work together to Save Aarey under the banner of Aarey Conservation Group launched a movement to vote out parties during the BMC election who do not pledge to Save Aarey from the proposed Metro Shed and any other related or unrelated commercial exploitation.
Vanashakti leader Stalin, AAP leader Preeti Sharma Menon, AAP leader, actor, activist Raghu Ram, AAP leader, actor, activist Mona Ambegaonkar, Director, Activist Ram Subramaniam, CPI leader Bhalchandra Kango, artist, writer, activist Sanjeev Khandekar, environmental activists Amrita Bhattacharya and Priya Mishra, artist Viashali Narkar addressed the press conference
The movement has become a runaway success and has become the biggest issue of the BMC election.
It has received tremendous support from Mumbai Media which has always taken the lead on environmental issues. It is a runaway success on social media. Vote To SaveAarey trended nationally. 2.8 lac people reached on Ram Subramanian’s viral video appeal on his FB page alone. 1.16 lac views of AAP’s FB Live telecast of Press Conference. Celebrities, citizens are making their own videos using an app and sharing it in their own circles.
Most political parties have agreed to meet the citizens and hear them out.
NCPÂ – Nawab Malik of the NCP met the activists last night and committed to Save Aarey from commercial exploitation on behalf of his party. He committed the NCP Corporators will vote against any proposal in the Corporation that will attempt to touch Aarey in any way. He said NCP has suggested that the shed be moved to Thane district and he alleged that there maybe some financial scam in trying to exploit Aarey by the present government.
BJP – Preeti Sharma Menon, Stalin, Ram Subramaniam & Sanjeev Khandekar have an appointment with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at 10am, 18 February at Varsha.
MNS – Menon, Stalin, Ram Subramaniam & Sanjeev Khandekar have an appointment with MNS Chief Raj Thackeray  at 6pm, 18 February at MNS Office in Dadar.
Congress – Sanjay Nirupam has committed to a meeting on 18 February. Time and venue to be decided
Shiv Sena – No revert on the request for meeting yet.
The campaign will be stepped up on all fronts in the next two days and citizens will be made aware of the reactions and commitments of all political parties. We will urge all citizens to only vote for parties who pledge to Save Aarey.
