Political friction between the BJP and its NCP (Ajit Pawar) ally in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified, with development funds linked to two NCP corporators being reallocated after they backed a demand to audit development works in the Kothrud assembly constituency represented by BJP leader Chandrakant Patil.
The developments have brought fresh strain to the BJP-NCP (Ajit Pawar) relationship at the civic level, despite the two parties being partners in the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. “I had requested scrutiny of one development work, suspecting irregularity in the work. I never named anyone. “They took it personally and removed the budget allocation.
The expenses incurred for the work were estimated at ₹ 40 lakh and the actual work appears to be worth less than ₹ 7 lakh.
Balwadkar, a standing committee member, said his demand was limited to examining a single development work in which he suspected irregularities and that he had not named anyone. There are several such works, out of which I had asked for information about one,” he said. Balwadkar alleged that the fund decision was politically motivated and said he would challenge it in court. The funds were meant for public development works,” he said.
Balwadkar objected and demanded that each proposal be read out before being taken up, while opposition leader Nilesh Nikam sought permission for him to speak. The proposal was nevertheless put to vote and passed 73-13.
Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators remained neutral, according to the proceedings.
The latest flashpoint is the reconsideration of a ₹ 12 crore development allocation for NCP corporator Amol Balwadkar’s ward, days after he sought scrutiny of development works in Kothrud. The proposal was approved by the PMC general body by a 73-13 vote on Tuesday. Tingre said the ₹ 12 crore allocation withdrawn from his ward was meant for development works planned over the next six months, including roads, pavements and drainage. “Today, during the standing committee meeting, funds worth ₹ 12 crore have been reallocated to Ward 3.
These funds were supposed to be used for planned development work and would have benefited senior citizens, children and other residents of my ward,” he said.
