Oppn demands Shinde's resignation over corruption

December 20, 2022 16:45

Opposition members staged demonstrations in the Maharashtra legislature complex in Nagpur on Tuesday accusing the government of being corrupt and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over his decision taken when he was a minister in the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government of allotment of land meant for slum dwellers to private persons.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the state Legislative Council that their government does not give costly plots at lower rates to anyone.

However, the Upper House proceedings were adjourned for the day after arguments between members of the opposition and ruling parties over the matter.

On December 14, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court was informed by amicus curie (appointed by court to assist) advocate Anand Parchure that Shinde during his tenure as the urban development minister in the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government had directed the Nagpur Improvement Trust to give away land acquired for housing scheme for slum dwellers to 16 private persons.

The court then said, "If any such order as claimed is really passed then we would direct the authorities to maintain status quo till the next date."

The matter would be again heard on January 4, 2023.

The bench in its order said the court was since 2004 monitoring the land allotments made by the NIT to politicians and other influential individuals.

This was after a petition was filed by Nagpur-based social activist Anil Wadpalliwar, alleging the NIT gave away land to politicians and others at meagre rates.

On Tuesday, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Ajit Pawar, Congress leaders Nana Patole, Prithiviraj Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, Shiv Sena-UBT legislator Aditya Thackrey and other leaders staged demonstrations in the legislature complex.

The MVA leaders raised slogans accusing the Shinde government of being corrupt and demanded the CM's resignation.

In the Legislative Council, Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve said the NIT had reserved a plot 4.5 acres in the city for the construction of houses for the rehabilitation of slum dwellers.

"However, former urban development minister Eknath Shinde, who is now the chief minister of the state, had issued an order to hand over the land parcel to 16 persons at the cost of Rs 1.5 crore. The current ready reckoner rates calculate the cost of the land to be Rs 83 crore," he claimed.

It is very serious matter. The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court had already put a stay on the hand over of the land and the case was going on. Despite that, Shinde as the urban development minister took the decision to hand over the land, which is a serious interference in the court's work, said Danve, who is part of the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT.

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