Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis holds tight reins over allies
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde over the «probes and stays» into several schemes launched by the erstwhile Shinde-led government, senior bureaucrats and BJP leaders claim the reality is quite different.
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Fadnavis is not just halting or launching probes into schemes launched by the Shiv Sena-led ministries but also those of the NCP led by Ajit Pawar. Last week, the chief minister stayed a decision of an NCP minister to grant minority status to an educational institute as it «did not fulfill the criteria». Fadnavis did not just stay the decision but also ordered a probe.
Another issue of contention raised by an NCP minister publicly is that Fadnavis has not allowed the ministers the leeway to appoint their own Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) and personal secretaries. Fadnavis responded by saying that he does not want tainted officers and those involved in «settings» to be appointed as OSDs and personal secretaries. «OSDs and personal secretaries sometimes get involved in shady dealings. If you prevent them from being appointed, then a lot of the unwanted stuff is kept under control,» a top bureaucrat told ET. While Fadnavis did rule with an iron hand even during 2014 to 2019 when he was the CM, those close to him said the CM is even more stringent in his second term. «This time Fadnavis has bluntly told his allies that the minister might be yours but the secretaries and policies will be determined by the BJP and even BJP ministers are not exempt from this rule,» said a top bureaucrat. He added that this meant that while the CM
