{
  "id": 2459418,
  "title": "Mumbai: Minister Ashish Shelar Hits Back At Shiv Sena UBT Over Bandra's Neville D’Souza Ground Redevelopment Row",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/mumbai-minister-ashish-shelar-hits-back-at-shiv-sena-ubt-over-bandras",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T00:09:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-minister-ashish-shelar-hits-back-at-shiv-sena-ubt-over-bandras-neville-dsouza-ground-redevelopment-row"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai, August 21, 2026: BJP MLA and minister Ashish Shelar has strongly refuted the Shiv Sena's claims regarding the proposed redevelopment of Neville D’Souza football ground in Bandra. Shelar accused the Shiv Sena (UBT) of misrepresenting facts related to land ownership and the intended use of the land. Specifically, he questioned the source of the name Neville D’Souza for the ground and challenged the Sena to reveal who had given the ground that name. Shelar maintained that the final truth would emerge, suggesting that the court proceedings should be allowed to conclude before he could comment further.\n\nShelar further criticized the Shiv Sena (UBT) for its open-space campaign, contending that the opposition should first address the issues of open space within areas under their control. Proposing a \"Tirana yatra\" commencing from Prabhodankar Thackeray ground in Goregaon, he questioned the land ownership and occupancy rights of the Dahisar sports complex. Shelar emphasized that development and sale of land are two distinct issues, clarifying that the BJP's stance has consistently been to safeguard and expand open spaces, rather than selling them or converting them into clubhouses.\n\nThe Shiv Sena (UBT) has staunchly opposed any actions that could modify the character or use of Neville D’Souza ground. However, the BJP maintains that the land is not being sold. For further information on affordable and exclusive property deals in Mumbai and its surrounding areas, interested parties are directed to visit https://budgetproperties.in/.",
  "summary": "Mumbai, August 21, 2026: As the controversy over the proposed redevelopment of Neville D’Souza football ground in Bandra intensified, BJP MLA and minister Ashish Shelar on Thursday slammed the Shiv Sena (UBT), accusing it of distorting facts about the land’s ownership and intended use. Shelar Questions Land Ownership Shelar dismissed the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s allegation that the plot was being sold,…",
  "key_points": [
    "BJP MLA Ashish Shelar denies Shiv Sena (UBT) claims about Neville D’Souza ground redevelopment.",
    "Shelar questions land ownership and Sena’s source for Neville D’Souza ground’s name.",
    "BJP emphasizes safeguarding and expanding open spaces, not selling land."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}