Mumbai, Aug 6 (NationPress) The appointment of two high-ranking IAS officers as the General Manager of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) on Wednesday has raised eyebrows, stemming from a notable lack of coordination between the departments overseen by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

In response, the opposition has criticized the government, claiming it is a display of a “turf war.”

The Urban Development Department under Shinde issued an order assigning additional responsibilities to Ashwini Joshi as GM. Joshi, who currently serves as the Additional Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, saw his position contradicted within hours by an order from the General Administration Department (GAD), led by Fadnavis, which also appointed Asheesh Sharma, the State GST Commissioner, to the same role.

When questioned about the apparent disarray between the departments, officials from both the UD and GAD did not provide any comments.

“Typically, appointments are sanctioned by the GAD, although in some cases, the department secretary may issue the order, pending the Chief Minister’s approval. It’s unclear what transpired here,” stated a senior figure from the GAD.

Joshi, a 2006-batch IAS officer from the Maharashtra cadre, was initially set to assume the role following the retirement of the former GM S V R Srinivas, but that decision was unexpectedly reversed.

Meanwhile, Sharma, who is presently the Commissioner of Goods and Services Taxes (GST) in Maharashtra, will manage the GM role of BEST until a permanent appointment is established by the state.

Since the beginning of the year, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has been operating without a full-time general manager. The last individual to hold the position, Anil Diggikar, was reassigned in December following a bus accident in Kurla. Since then, the role has seen numerous temporary appointments with senior IAS officers managing additional responsibilities.

An earlier directive to appoint Harshdeep Kamble as GM was later rescinded without explanation. Prior to this, Srinivas had stepped in as GM in February 2025.

BEST, which oversees public bus services in Mumbai, is grappling with significant challenges, including financial difficulties, an aging fleet that requires modernization, and ongoing concerns regarding service reliability and efficiency.

Serving over 2.5 million commuters daily across Mumbai and its suburbs, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) is vital to the city’s commuting framework. Additionally, BEST is involved in electricity distribution to consumers.

In the meantime, opposition leaders have criticized the government over the dual appointments of the IAS officers as GM of BEST.

Aaditya Thackeray, a leader of Shiv Sena UBT, expressed his concerns on X, stating: “The BEST is being undermined by the state government intentionally, but the lack of collaboration between the CM and Gaddaarnath Mindhe is evident. The CM’s GAD has issued orders for one candidate as administrator, while Gaddaarnath’s UD department has issued orders for another. Shouldn’t the DCM consult the CM first? Why must our State suffer due to their ego clash?”

Thackeray further remarked, “If such basic coordination is completely lacking, these are the individuals tasked with leading our State! This is the most corrupt and ineffective government Maharashtra has ever encountered.”

Moreover, Harshwardhan Sapkal, president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, criticized the administration, questioning, “One post, two orders, two leaders—does this reflect a gang war within the double-engine government?”

In his post on X, Sapkal noted, “A turf war is unfolding between Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis over the officials’ transfers. For a singular post, the appointments of two distinct officials were made on the same day. This struggle for key positions leaves the public wondering whether it’s governance or simply a turf war.”

Rohit Pawar, an NCP SP legislator, also took a jab at the state government, suggesting the MahaYuti government showcases “the best coordination.”

In his commentary on X, he stated: “Once the position of General Manager at BEST became available, it appears a race has begun between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to install 'their' candidate. Immediately after the retirement of GM Srinivas, the GAD under the Chief Minister assigned the additional charge to Ashish Sharma, while the Urban Development Department under Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde designated the same charge to Ashwini Joshi. The public tug-of-war within the MahaYuti alliance is now evident, with BEST employees left contemplating when two chairs will occupy a single cabin.”