The Opposition raised demands for the removal of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) vice-chairman and managing director Radheshyam Mopalwar in both Houses on Wednesday. Their demand was related to the audio clips in which Mr. Mopalwar is purportedly heard fixing a deal for a plot.
The Opposition also demanded the removal of Housing Minister Prakash Mehta over the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) for a project to provide undue benefit to a developer. Mr Fadnavis assured both Houses that an inquiry would be conducted into the alleged wrongdoings by Mr. Mopalwar. If found guilty, action would be taken against him, he said.
Moving an adjournment motion in the Legislative Council, Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde read out transcripts of the purported conversation between Mr. Mopalwar and a businessman, allegedly pertaining to plot in Borivali. “Mr. Mopalwar has made 550 calls to fix the deal. When these call recordings are sent to a forensic laboratory, it will be clear that the person is indeed Mr. Mopalwar. These calls have been recorded, transcribed and translated by a company approved by the State government.” Mr. Munde said.
Mr. Fadnavis said Mr. Mopalwar had been appointed to key posts by the previous Congress-NCP government. “I have heard the audio clip that was aired by a news channel, and I am verifying it. Even the news channel has issued a disclaimer saying the clip is unverified. However, we will conduct an inquiry into the clips within a month.”
Former CM and Congress MLA Prithviraj Chavan demanded Mr. Mopalwar be removed from his post, as he could influence the inquiry. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said, “If Prakash Mehta is not clean, he should be removed immediately. Last year, the BJP government had asked then Revenue and Agriculture Minister Eknath Khadse to step down after allegations were levelled against him. The same yardstick should be applied to Mr. Mehta as well.”
Two days ago, Mr. Fadnavis had ordered an inquiry into the TDR for a project after the Opposition targeted Mr. Mehta.
