Mumbai : Increasing the uncertainty over political appointments in state-owned corporations, Maharashtra BJP president Raosaheb Danve has ruled out making the appointments any time soon.
“We have decided not to make any decision in haste. Appointments made by this government in the past few months were challenged in the court. Hence we are now taking extra precaution. We have decided to go ahead with complete preparation so that every decision stands the scrutiny of law,” Danve said on Tuesday. He also indicated that any of the MLAs are unlikely to be appointed in the corporations.
The issue has been discussed for almost a year, ever since the BJP formed its government in the state. The first two months were lost in political drama around Shiv Sena’s support to the government. Then it was said that the formula to share the political appointments is being finalised.
According to the formula, 66% of the posts are supposed to go to the BJP and 33% to Shiv Sena. The next hurdle was over a few particular corporations. The issue regarding incorporation of smaller alliance partners such as the RPI(A), RSP, SSS etc. too propped up around the monsoon session of the assembly two months ago.
“All those issues are now a thing of past. There are no issues left with any of the alliance partner. But, the appointments will take some more time,” Danve said. It is difficult to give any time frame in this regard, he added.
According to BJP sources, initially it was decided that the appointments would be made before the mega membership drive of the party. Then suddenly signals were sent out to cadres that their performance during the membership drive would be considered for the appointments. But, nothing has happened ever since.
The appointments are to be made on over 60 major corporations like the MHADA, CIDCO, MAFCO, MTDC, MEDA, MAVIM, Mining Corporation, Seed Corporation, Forest Development Corporation, etc.
The delay in the appointments is adversely affecting the morale of the party cadre, and some of the BJP insiders have started complaining.
Some of the Shiv Sena leaders say that their lists are ready, while a few of their ministers, who are unhappy over their curtailed powers, are said to be in a mood to avoid any political appointments and let bureaucrats run the entire show.
Danve, however, ruled out all these things as speculation and said that the appointments would now be made according to the directives given by the law and judiciary department. “It is a routine process that will have to be followed and it is bound to take time,” he said.
Abhijit Mulye