Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has intensified the scrutiny of projects initiated by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who according to political observers appears to be running a parallel government and expressing dissatisfaction with Fadnavis’ administration.
Fadnavis has ordered an investigation into the Rs900 crore housing project in Jalna, initially scrapped in 2020 due to feasibility concerns but later revived in February 2023 under the Urban Development (UD) department led by Shinde.
Additionally, the BMC has annulled the Rs1,400 crore tender related to solid waste collection, slum passage cleaning, and sanitation maintenance.
The tender, issued last year at Shinde’s directive to improve slum hygiene, was ultimately discarded. These actions signal an ongoing power struggle, with Fadnavis seemingly curbing Shinde’s influence through key administrative decisions.
During the monsoon session of the 2024 Assembly, MLC Pravin Darekar had questioned why community-based organisations were excluded from the sanitation scheme. Later, the Federation of Berojgar Sansthas legally challenged the BMC’s decision to appoint a single agency for slum cleaning.
The BMC sought guidance from the UD department in October 2024 but received no response. The civic body ultimately scrapped the tender, citing court orders and procedural delays. Currently, the civic body spends Rs100 crore annually on slum cleaning, which would have surged to Rs350 crore per annum had the tender been passed.
CIDCO housing in Jalna
In Jalna, the state government had planned a housing project at Kharpudi through the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and appointed Ernest and Young as consultants. In January 2020, the consultancy deemed the project unfeasible, leading to its cancellation in July the same year.
However, under Shinde’s leadership in 2022-23, CIDCO and the administration revived the project, appointing KPMG as a consultant in 2023. KPMG’s 2024 report deemed the project viable, prompting government approval. This turnaround raised concerns among opposition parties, who raised pertinent questions.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Santosh Sambre, who recently complained to Fadnavis about the project, praised the decision to scrap it again. Addressing a media interaction, Sambre alleged that several persons purchased land at low rates before reselling it to CIDCO at inflated prices, leading to substantial profits.
Meanwhile, state minister for social justice Sanjay Shirsat, who held the charge of CIDCO during Shinde’s tenure, said, “If any illegality is found, an inquiry should be conducted. The intention behind the project was to support MIDC’s growth in Jalna. If wrongdoing is identified, necessary action should be taken against those responsible.”
With Fadnavis continuing to exert control, the political rift between him and Shinde is deepening, signalling a turbulent phase in Maharashtra’s governance.
