Pune, 2nd July 2026: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has strongly opposed the Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) decision to lease a prime one-acre civic plot in Kothrud, estimated to be worth around ₹500 crore, to Gravity Welfare Foundation.
The party has demanded that the civic administration put the decision on hold and conduct a fair review of the allotment.
MNS Kothrud Assembly President Sudhir Dhawade submitted a memorandum to PMC, alleging that the 3,621-square-metre plot was allotted to the foundation on a 30-year lease without inviting an open tender.
He claimed the process lacked transparency and questioned why such a valuable public asset was being handed over without competitive bidding.
The party also alleged that the foundation does not have prior experience in operating an old-age home or an orphanage, raising concerns over the basis on which it was selected. MNS argued that the land could be put to better public use, especially when Kothrud requires facilities such as metro parking and a playground.
"The land belongs to the people of Pune. The allotment process should be transparent and in the public interest. The decision must be reviewed, and if it is not reversed, MNS will launch a strong agitation," Dhawade said.
The proposal to lease the land to Gravity Welfare Foundation had earlier received approval in the PMC General Body meeting. However, MNS has now sought an impartial inquiry into the allotment process and urged the civic administration to reconsider the decision in the larger public interest.
