Taking a dig at Shiv Sena for opposing the renewal of lease license to Mahalaxmi racecourse here, NCP president Sharad Pawar today said he supported the need for open spaces in Mumbai as they are the "lungs" of the city.

"I am in favour of open spaces as they are lungs of the city. A new garden is a good idea. But, there are already 263 gardens which are not in a good state. I am told, the Jijamata Udyan which also houses the Byculla zoo is in a bad shape. The civic body can work to upgrade the existing infrastructure first," Pawar told reporters in Mumbai.

Sena President Uddhav Thackeray has gone abroad. "May be he will come up with another idea instead of the garden and theme park at the race course after he returns," he said. The lease of the race course at Mahalaxmi has expired on May 31. Shiv Sena, which rules the civic body, wants a garden and theme park at the race course instead of horse racing.