Shiv Sena(UBT) Praises CM Fadnavis, Critiques Dy CM Shinde

Mumbai, Feb 26 (NationPress) Shiv Sena(UBT) on Wednesday lauded Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, commending his decisive actions to instill discipline within the state administration, particularly through rigorous measures against fixers and brokers. The Thackeray faction, in the party's mouthpiece Saamana’s editorial, has thus aimed criticism at former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alleging that during his leadership, fixers and brokers operated without restraint.

"The pervasive corruption has rendered state politics decayed. Financial indiscipline has reached alarming levels. The funds required for buying and sustaining MLAs, MPs, corporators, and genuine Shiv Sena members were amassed through the exploitation of roads, construction contracts, and various state bodies like MMRDA, MSRDC, MHADA, SRA, and the Urban Development Department. Many switched allegiances to benefit from this plunder," the editorial stated.

“Where did this influx of money originate? It was generated through fraudulent tenders, fictitious projects, commissions on fund distribution, land scams, and brokerage in housing construction. Reports suggest that Shinde's Chief Collector has absconded to Dubai with a staggering ten thousand crore rupees,” the Saamana editorial claims.

"The Shinde faction appears unsettled due to Fadnavis’ anti-corruption campaign. A tender worth Rs 500 crore was inflated to Rs 3,000 crore, with Rs 1,000 crore siphoned off even before the project commenced. Of this, Rs 100 to 200 crore was reportedly allocated to Shinde's associates, with the funds used for rituals at Prayagraj," the editorial continues.

“Fadnavis has initiated the noble task of dismantling these manipulators. It would be surprising if Shinde and his faction have not been incensed by this! Fadnavis also executed another significant step as Chief Minister by revoking the power to appoint the 'PA' and 'OSD' of the ministers. Out of the names submitted by ministers for approval, 16 were directly rejected by Fadnavis as they were involved in fixing and brokerage during the earlier Shinde-led administration. The Chief Minister's decision to deny these roles to fixers is commendable,” the editorial asserts, revealing that 12 of the rejected names were suggested by Shinde camp ministers.

"During Eknath Shinde's regime, the Ministry became a haven for brokers and fixers. Anyone could arrive, pay a portion of the total contract, and receive approval for funds and projects. Works were rushed through even as the treasury faced turmoil, with approvals granted hastily right before elections. Contractors, despite completing their work, faced delayed payments due to improper approvals. Contractors' associations have indicated an outstanding amount of approximately Rs 90,000 crore for various government projects, with Rs 25,000 crore already taken as ‘brokerage'.”

“To appease the MLAs and MPs (Shinde-Ajit faction), they merely signed papers. Leveraging these signed documents, funds were extracted from contractors. Now, Fadnavis’ reconsideration of these projects has thrown the Shinde group's plans into disarray, leaving them in a financial quandary... Individuals gravitating towards the Shinde faction are primarily contractors or direct beneficiaries... If the Chief Minister is determined to dismantle these corrupt hoarders, what will become of these fixers and hoarders?” the editorial questions.

“Numerous schemes of exploitation have emerged over the past three years. A French company has accused MMRDA of demanding 'commissions'. This company, involved in Metro construction, faces delayed payments for completed work. Foreign firms are cautioned that their bills will remain unpaid unless the 'master's' commission is received. This is merely tarnishing our nation's reputation,” the editorial notes.

“Deputy Chief Minister Shinde recently approached Union Minister Amit Shah, expressing that CM Fadnavis is undermining them... If the needs of MLAs and MPs remain unmet, your party will not endure, Shinde told Shah. Conversely, PM Modi's role is to eradicate corruption. Recently, Prime Minister Modi declared, 'Just provide me the names of those taking bribes, and I will address them individually.' Given this context, Fadnavis would likely have no qualms about informing Prime Minister Modi of Shinde and his fixers,” concludes the Saamana editorial.