The Shiv Sena BJP Government in Maharashtra came into power in March 1995. One of the promises given in the `WachanNama’ or Charter of Commitments of the Shiv Sena – BJP alliance in Maharashtra was the promise of providing free houses to 40 lakh slum-dwellers in Greater Mumbai. This was the greatest bluff ever perpetrated on the city’s poor. While a small section of the slum-dwellers, mostly the slum-lords, a large number of elected representatives, and the highly opportunistic self-styled leaders were excited by the offer, the majority realized from the very beginning that this was merely a political gimmick. The tragedy in housing in the city has all along been the fact that the plans and policies have continuously alienated the people. The capability of the slum-dwellers and their co-operatives in undertaking (direct) responsibility for the development of their own housing has been denied. Instead, the Government has continuously resorted to violent attacks on the slum-dwellers and demolition of their houses, refusing to recognize the people’s right to housing and the denial of slum-dwellers participation in the drafting of the various policies and programs for them.