In a major embarrassment for the Shiv Sena on the polling day, Thackeray bahu has slammed the way the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) works.

In an exclusive interview to India Today, Smita Thackeray, ex-wife of Jaidev Thackeray--late Bal Thackeray's estranged son--said corruption continues to be the mainstay of BMC.

The BMC has been run by the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance for the last few years. However, this time the two parties are going it alone in the polls.

"Problems of pothole-ridden roads and corruption in BMC have remained unresolved," Smita Thackeray said, who stayed in Matoshree until her divorce with Jaidev in 2004.

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FACED PROBLEMS DESPITE MY FAMILY NAME

In a scathing criticism of the BMC, Thackeray said, "Files do not move, and work is slow" adding that the system needs to be "transparent".

"I have faced problems in spite of being from the (Thackeray) family," she said.

The election to the richest municipal corporation in the country is expected to be a close fight between Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP.

Besides Mumbai, elections to nine other municipal corporations are also underway.

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WATCH: BMC poll: Thackeray bahu slams BMC for corruption

ANOTHER THACKERAY BAHU SPEAKS

Shalini Thackeray, who is the sister-in-law of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, alleged conspiracy by some to prevent people from voting.

"People who have been voting for several years are not able to cast their votes because their names are not on the electoral list," Shalini said.

"Several people are going back without voting. I feel this is a conspiracy," she alleged adding that only when people vote in large numbers can the right candidate win.

She said the MNS has raised several important issues in the past and expects a good show in this election.

VOTE FOR CHANGE, SAYS CONGRESS

Congress' Sanjay Nirupam said Mumbaikars need good roads and a clean city and should vote for the Congress to help it bring about these positive changes in the city.

"Both the BJP and the Shiv Sena are playing dirty politics and people should understand this, and vote for the Congress," Nirupam said.

"We will approach the Election Commission as both the parties (BJP, Shiv Sena) have violated the code of conducted," he said.

Watch Video: BMC poll: Thackeray bahu slams BMC for corruption

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