Navi Mumbai civic chief gets Fadnavis backing; Sena miffed

Amid wrangling on the no-trust motion passed by NCP-ruled Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) against its Commissioner, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday indicated support for the “efficient” official while ally Shiv Sena wanted him to be removed.

Fadnavis, who has to now take a decision on removing the civic Commissioner, Tukaram Mundhe, said the state government cannot allow such resolutions to be implemented as he heaped praises on the civil servant who is considered upright.

On the other hand, BJP ally Shiv Sena asked the Chief Minister to give up his “stubborn stand” on the issue and go by the will of the elected representatives of the civic body.

“I think, Tukaram Mundhe is a very efficient officer. He tried to change the systems which were not legal and were leading to corruption. That has made some people restless and they have come together to remove him,” Fadnavis said.

“There are some issues about his communication with the elected representatives. I have told him that in a democracy, one should respect the elected representatives. If demands are illegal, they should not be attended to but otherwise, they (the elected representatives) should get respect and he has understood it,” he said.

The Chief Minister advised the corporators, who have expressed their lack of faith in the IAS officer, who has launched a demolition drive against illegal structures in the satellite city, to revisit their stand. “I think, the corporators who supported the resolution (no-confidence motion) should rethink 

about it and allow the Commissioner to work in a transparent and an efficient way,” he maintained.