November 8, 2014
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA – The ongoing tussle in Maharashtra over power sharing between the Shiv Sena and the BJP took another turn on Friday with the Shiv Sena leadership opposing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' plan of appointing a CEO for Mumbai.
Maharashtra Chief Minister – Devendra Fadnavis
November 8, 2014
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA – The ongoing tussle in Maharashtra over power sharing between the Shiv Sena and the BJP took another turn on Friday with the Shiv Sena leadership opposing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' plan of appointing a CEO for Mumbai.
Maharashtra Chief Minister – Devendra Fadnavis
On Thursday, the chief minister had said that Mumbai would soon get a CEO to help coordinate and fast-track developmental projects in the city. An officer of the rank of additional chief secretary, just below the chief secretary, will be appointed as coordinator for Mumbai city, Fadnavis had said on Thursday. He had said that Mumbai has been losing out on development as there have been complaints that some of them work at cross-purposes.
Shiv Sena MP and former chairman of the civic standing committee, Rahul Shewale, hit out at Fadnavis' statement alleging that the move to appoint a CEO is aimed at separating the city from the rest of the state. "Actually, it is the responsibility of the chief minister, who holds the charge of urban development department, and of the chief secretary to deal with all the issues related to Mumbai. This also means that Fadnavis lacks the confidence to manage the city," said Shewale, speaking to Firstpost.
He added that normally the CEO is appointed in private companies or in separate governing bodies. "In case of Mumbai, the chief minister has the direct control over the all the governing agencies as those are headed by IAS officers appointed by him only. There is no need to appoint a CEO for the city. In fact, he can assign the task of coordinating and fast-tracking the development projects to the officers appointed in the chief minister's officer. In a way, he is showing distrust on his own officials. It is the game plan of the BJP to separate the city from the rest of the state," he explained.
Presently, there are 16 different agencies in the city — state and central governments work in Mumbai. Besides the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is run by the Shiv Sena-BJP combine since last two decades, other government agencies include Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (a special planning authority for areas such as the Bandra-Kurla Complex, Oshiwara, Nariman Point, the airport area, etc), Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority, Mumbai Port Trust, Railways, Defence among others.
Political observers said that Sena would oppose to any idea that would weaken its hold over the city. BJP is trying to marginalize the Sena as much as possible. Also for Shiv Sena, BMC remains the major source of generating party funds and retaining control over the political affairs in Mumbai and it would not tolerate to lose it.
"By appointing a CEO, BJP wants to gain more control of the city and weaken the importance of the BMC. BMC, the planning authority of the city, is more than competent to run the city. There is no need for any new post. We will oppose the BJP's move that will try to revive the sentiments of the Marathi manoos for the united Maharashtra with Mumbai," said a senior Sena functionary.
Responding to Shewale's criticism, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said that the Shiv Sena didn't want to see the city's development by opposing to the appointment of a CEO.
Courtesy: PTI
