Uddhav-led Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana praises CM Fadnavis again, attacks deputy CM Shinde

Eknath Shinde and Devendra fadnavis

Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece, Saamana, in an editorial piece on Wednesday showered praise on Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for the strong measures undertaken by him to bring discipline to the state government. While commending Fadnavis for his tough stance on fixers and brokers, the editorial also targeted former chief minister Eknath Shinde.

The piece accused Shinde of fostering an environment where fixers and brokers thrived. It further alleged that corruption had taken root in state politics, with financial mismanagement hitting a record high.

“Due to rampant corruption, state politics has become rotten. Financial indiscipline has reached its peak. The money needed to buy and then feed MLAs, MPs, corporators and real Shiv Sena office-bearers was collected by looting roads, construction contractors, various state undertakings such as MMRDA, MSRDC, MHADA, SRA, and the Urban Development Department. Many switched parties to get the money from that loot,” the editorial read.

It further alleged that corruption was fuelled by unlawful tenders, bogus contracts, commissions in fund allocation, and land-related fraud.

“The latest news is that Shinde’s Chief Collector has fled to Dubai with ten thousand crore rupees,” the editorial claimed.

Fadnavis’ cleanliness movement

The editorial suggested that the Shinde faction is growing uncomfortable with Fadnavis’ strict anti-corruption actions. It further alleged that tenders were inflated from Rs 500 crore to Rs 3,000 crore, with Rs 1,000 crore pocketed before any work was initiated.

“The tender of Rs 500 crore was increased to Rs 3,000 crore and in between Rs 1,000 crore was taken even before the commencement of the work. Out of which Rs 100 to 200 crore were to be distributed among the followers (Shinde) and all of the money is being used by taking them for a holy dip in Ganga at Prayagraj,” the piece read.

“Fadnavis has started the sacred work of putting an end to all these manipulators. It would be surprising if Shinde and his people have not been angered by this! Fadnavis did another important work as chief minister. He took away the power to appoint the ‘PA’ and ‘OSD’ of the ministers. Out of the names sent by the ministers as ‘PA’ and ‘OSD’ to the chief minister for approval, 16 names were directly rejected by the chief minister,” reads the editorial.

This is the second instance this year where Saamana has lauded Fadnavis. Back in January, the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s official publication had appreciated his visit to the Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district.

Sanjay Raut lauds Fadnavis

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also lauded Fadnavis for not allowing "fixers" to be named as personal secretaries or OSDs of cabinet members and said most of those ignored for the posts were of Shiv Sena ministers.

The Rajya Sabha member said Fadnavis stopped the "state loot" by suspending the work on projects approved when Eknath Shinde was the CM (June 2022-November 2024) and whose costs were inflated.

Fadnavis has stopped the "loot" of Maharashtra treasury, he said.

(With inputs from agencies)