Maharashtra Govt Caught in Turf War Over BEST Appointment
Departments led by CM Fadnavis and Deputy CM Shinde issue conflicting orders for the same post, sparking opposition criticism and fueling political speculation.
- The Maharashtra government is embroiled in a political dispute after two separate departments issued conflicting orders for the appointment of the BEST General Manager.
- The Urban Development Department, led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, named Ashwini Joshi, while the General Administration Department, under CM Devendra Fadnavis, named Ashish Sharma for the same post.
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 6th Aug: A new flashpoint has emerged between Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputy, Eknath Shinde, following the issuance of two separate appointment letters for the same post of General Manager of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) on August 5. The incident has been branded a “turf war” by the opposition.
The Urban Development Department, which is under Mr. Shinde’s control, issued an order appointing Ashwini Joshi as the new General Manager. However, just hours later, the General Administration Department (GAD), headed by Mr. Fadnavis, released a separate circular naming Ashish Sharma to the same position.
When asked about the confusion, Chief Minister Fadnavis deflected responsibility, stating, “I don’t make decisions about BEST, it is done by the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation).” The Urban Development Department, meanwhile, clarified that no official order was ever issued about Ms. Joshi’s appointment.
The incident drew immediate fire from the opposition. Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal took to X to call the situation a “gang war” between the CM and DCM over “plum positions.” He questioned whether the state was being run by a government or was merely a “turf war.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also criticized the “ego war” and claimed that the coordination between the Chief Minister and his deputy “is already dead.” He pointed out that Mr. Shinde’s department had issued an order that should have been handled by Mr. Fadnavis’s GAD, creating the conflict.
The Kaamgar Sena, a BEST workers’ union affiliated with the Shiv Sena (UBT), stated that the incident reflects a deep administrative confusion and a reluctance among IAS officers to take charge of what it called a “crumbling institution.” The union further claimed that Ashwini Joshi had declined the charge, leading to the appointment of Ashish Sharma.
The developments come amid speculation fueled by Deputy CM Shinde’s second visit to Delhi in a week, with reports suggesting the trip may be related to growing tensions with Fadnavis. The Mumbai Congress has also weighed in, demanding an SIT probe into alleged misappropriation of funds at BEST.
