Mumbai: It’s been a bad week in office for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and ally Shiv Sena is losing no time in reminding him of it. On Monday, the Sena launched a broadside against Mr. Fadnavis, criticising his government’s failure to apprehend the accused in the Kamala Mills fire and Bhima-Koregaon violence cases.
According to an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana , “The CM has gladly announced there is no worry as far as law and order is concerned, but he must answer why the culprits of the mill fire have not been nabbed and who is putting pressure on the [Municipal] Commissioner. People of this State deserve to know the answer to these questions.” The Sena is alleging that Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta has come under pressure from senior Ministers to not take action against some restaurant owners. Mr. Mehta has hinted that a Minister called him to request that action not be taken against at least 20 restaurants.
It also said the government is putting on citizens by announcing a cash reward for information on the absconding owners of 1Above, the restaurant in Kamala Mills where 14 patrons lost their lives in a fire on December 29.
The State government has been facing flak for its ‘soft’ handling of the bandh in Mumbai on January 3. Dalit leaders have demanded immediate arrests of those responsible for the violence in Bhima-Koregaon on January 1. Mr. Fadnavis said action will be taken but based on evidence. Home Department officers said they are monitoring police action in the Kamala Mills fire and the Bhima-Koregaon violence.
The Opposition is claiming that law and order in the State has been deteriorating over the past few months. “This government has done little to reassure people that they are safe. It has failed in maintaining law and order,” NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik, said.
