On Wednesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) also sent its praise to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his stern steps towards reinstating discipline in the state administration. The party specially praised his drastic action against the middlemen and fixers running within the system.
In an article carried in Saamana, the Thackeray faction mouthpiece, there was an indirect reference to the then former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The article blamed Shinde's rule for creating a situation where fixers and brokers were given free run to influence state affairs.
Because of pervasive corruption, the politics of the state has gone rotten. The mismanagement of money has never been at such heights. The funds needed to purchase and maintain MLAs, MPs, corporators, and actual Shiv Sena leaders were raised by looting roads, construction contractors, and state agencies such as MMRDA, MSRDC, MHADA, SRA, and the Urban Development Department. Most changed political parties to get a share of this illegal money," said the editorial.
It also claimed, "Where did this money come from? This money was accumulated through fake tenders, fake projects, commission-based fund distribution, land frauds, and backroom deals in housing development. The latest news is that Shinde's Chief Collector has escaped to Dubai with ₹10,000 crore."
The Saamana editorial further alleged that Fadnavis' anti-corruption mission has upset the Shinde group. "A ₹500 crore tender was bloated to ₹3,000 crore and before even starting work, ₹1,000 crore was diverted. Of this, ₹100 to ₹200 crore was supposed to be distributed among Shinde's loyalists, with some of it allegedly spent on religious rituals in Prayagraj."
Complimenting Fadnavis' initiative, the article wrote, "The Chief Minister has undertaken a big mission to eliminate these exploitative forces. If Shinde and his cronies are not outraged by this, it would be surprising! Fadnavis has also introduced another big change—he withdrew ministers' power to appoint their personal assistants (PA) and officers on special duty (OSD). Out of the names put up for approval, 16 were flatly rejected by the Chief Minister, as they had been involved in fixing and brokerage during the previous Shinde government. Fadnavis has acted wisely in not giving jobs to 'fixers,' which is the correct thing to do.
The editorial also disclosed that 12 of the 16 rejected names were suggested by ministers belonging to the Shinde faction.
Under Shinde's rule, the Ministry was a free market for fixers and brokers, the piece claimed. "Anyone could walk in, pay a percentage of the overall contract value, and get approvals for funds and projects. Even when the state treasury was under tremendous financial pressure, development project approvals were rushed through before elections.". Contractors did work, but as appropriate approvals were not given, their bills were not paid. Contractor associations say pending payments for several projects total close to ₹90,000 crore, of which ₹25,000 crore are reportedly charged as brokerage fees."
"To please MLAs and MPs belonging to the Shinde-Ajit Pawar group, contracts were signed indiscriminately. Intermediaries used these sanctions to extort huge amounts from contractors. Now, with Fadnavis intervening to re-examine these deals, Shinde's group is in financial trouble. Most people who belong to Shinde's group are either contractors or direct beneficiaries. If the Chief Minister is keen on breaking this corrupt syndicate, what will happen to these fixers and hoarders?" the article asked.
The editorial also laid bare reported corruption in the last three years, saying, "A number of fraudulent rackets have come to light. A French firm accused MMRDA of charging commissions. This company, which is engaged in Metro work, has had its bills deliberately stalled. Foreign firms are informed that their payments will be withheld until the 'master's' commission is paid. These rackets tarnish the nation's image."
It also mentioned a recent meeting of Deputy Chief Minister Shinde and Union Minister Amit Shah. "Shinde allegedly complained to Shah that Fadnavis was interfering with their financial activities. He pointed out that if MLAs and MPs were not economically supported, the existence of their party would be jeopardized.". But Prime Minister Modi has also spoken out clearly about corruption, declaring, 'Tell me the names of those people who are taking money and I will sort them out one by one.' Fadnavis need have no fear in this case in letting PM Modi know about Shinde and his henchmen," the Saamana editorial had concluded.
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