Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde saves face and his2 ‘controversial' ministers
Eknath Shinde
, it seemed like a face-saving exercise when he was able to protect his trusted aide social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat, as well as minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam, son of former minister Ramdas Kadam.
Even as the opposition was pressing for their removal from the state cabinet, Shinde visited New Delhi and called on Union home minister Amit Shah for a relief. According to reports, the BJP high command spoke to CM Devendra Fadnavis and conveyed the sentiments of the home minister.
During the recently concluded monsoon session, a video surfaced allegedly showing Shirsat sitting in his bedroom with a bag filled with cash.
In the subsequent hue and cry in both Houses of the state legislature, it was assumed that Shinde would 'sacrifice' Shirsat to protect himself. Shirsat, however, was only issued a warning.
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Later, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab alleged that Kadam was running a dance bar in Kandivli with a licence in his mother's name. When Parab insisted on stern action against Kadam, the latter surrendered a few licences of the bar.
In his arguments, Parab had raised a basic question: How can the minister of state for home's mother operate a dance bar which has been raided by police for illegal activities.
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To make his point, Parab had even tabled a copy of the first information report, which had full details of the bar, name of the owner, along with the names and addresses of the girls who were caught during the raid. Parab's disclosure had caused massive embarrassment not only for Shinde, but even Fadnavis and the BJP leadership.
Kolhapur HC bench soon, thanks to CJI Gavai & CM
Thanks to the lead taken by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai and CM Fadavis, a new bench of Bombay high court will come at Kolhapur from Aug 18.
The bench will cater to the districts of Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.
A few days ago, when Gavai was in Maharashtra after he took charge as CJI, he had extended his support to the demand for a Kolhapur HC bench. Besides leading lawyers, Fadnavis too had taken up the proposal with PM Modi and successive law ministers.
A few years ago, when a section of lawyers had launched an agitation in Pune demanding a Kolhapur bench, Fadnavis had extended support. The agitation was withdrawn following an intervention of the central govt. The demand fizzled out for a prolonged period, but gained momentum after Gavai took charge as CJI.
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