Shinde govt distributing funds to BJP, Shiv Sena legislators only, alleges Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab

Pic: PTI File

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab Wednesday alleged that the Maharashtra state government was distributing funds meant for development works to the lawmakers of the BJP and ruling Shiv Sena only, and said it was an "injustice" to common people.

He made the allegation in the Maharashtra legislative council citing a detailed response availed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, newswire PTI reported.

"I have detailed information obtained under the RTI Act, which states that development funds are disbursed to the legislators belonging to either BJP or Shiv Sena. Even BMC commissioner (I S Chahal) told me that he cannot release funds without the chief minister's approval. Why do you have to stoop low in the name of development work? People are suffering due to it," Parab said.

He also asked the government to clarify under what provisions the guardian ministers of Mumbai city and Mumbai suburban district can dictate the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to release and utilise its funds. "The BMC is an independent body," the leader of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena said.

Road construction tenders are flawed, he alleged, and claimed that releasing funds early to the contractors would now result in more chaotic roads as the work will stretch for a long period. "The BMC has guidelines for construction of cement roads. However, the Eknath Shinde government ignored it completely and proceeded to issue the work orders rampantly," he added.

"Construction of roads is going on, but it will not be completed in time as the civic body imposed a fine on contractors after we complained to the BMC administration. There is no information available whether the fine was paid. In many cases, the work is not moving ahead," he said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan Wednesday taunted Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, saying a cat doesn't become a tiger just by wearing its skin, and challenged his party to win at least one seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024.

The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also challenged Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar to ensure the victory of his daughter Supriya Sule from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, which she currently represents.

Mahajan was reacting to Thackeray's remark that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting the state frequently as the ruling BJP was scared of losing the upcoming general elections. (With inputs from PTI)