CM Fadnavis buckles under pressure from Opposition, but Housing Minister Mehta keeps berth for now
Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis finally removed IAS officer Radheshyam Mopalwar from the post of Vice President and Managing Director (VCMD) of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) over audio clips in which he was purportedly heard fixing a deal for a plot in Mumbai.
“Mopalwar will not hold the post of MSRDC’s VCMD till the investigation over allegations of bribery against him is complete,” said Fadnavis. The Opposition has been demanding action against the senior bureaucrat after audio clips, in which he is allegedly heard fixing a deal for a piece of land in Borivali, came to light.
Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil demanded immediate ouster of the officer, as the scam was know to the government since December. Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has already demanded a judicial inquiry against the officer. Opposition members in the Assembly were demanding removal of the officer, besides the resignation of Prakash Mehta from the State Cabinet over the alleged scam in SRA projects.
The Assembly had to be adjourned five times before the chief minister announced the removal of Mopalwar. Even after the announcement, the Opposition continued protesting, demanding the removal of Prakash Mehta.
Fadnavis said though there was no evidence of graft against Mopalwar, he was being removed from the post till the inquiry was over due to persistent demand from the Opposition. “Mopalwar got cream postings during the NCP and Congress regime and the alleged corruption by him also occurred during the NCP-Congress tenure,” he said.
NCP leader Ajit Pawar had asked why no action was taken against Mehta and also sought to link Mopalwar with a case of alleged kidnapping. “The PMO has sent several letters to the CMO asking it to investigate Mopalwar and allegations levelled against him. If Eknath Khadse could be removed, why not Prakash Mehta (Housing Minister) and Mopalwar?” he asked. “BJP MLA Gote had written to several investigating agencies against Mopalwar,” he said.
Opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said, “The government has to sack the tainted minister otherwise we will not allow the business of the assembly to take place.”
A ruckus was also created in the House over trafficking of minor girls in Latur. BJP MLA Manisha Chaudhari raised the issue and Ajit Pawar supported her.
