A fresh political row erupted as BJP scrambled to rubbish a claim made by its own MP and former Union minister Anantkumar Hegde that Devendra Fadnavis was made chief minister in Maharashtra for 80 hours despite lacking majority only to “protect” £4 billion of central funds from “misuse” by a Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government.
Even as the opposition flared, Fadnavis and BJP itself pulled up the controversial MP. A senior BJP leader in Delhi called the comments “needless” and added that Hegde will be conveyed the leadership’s “displeasure”. Fadnavis, now leader of the opposition, described his party colleague’s statements as “preposterous and 100% baseless” and refuted it “completely”.
‘Hegde’s claim is incorrect and false’
Anantkumar Hegde had told a gathering in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district: “It was entirely planned earlier. Once we got to know (about three parties forming government) it was decided that a drama would be played out. Adjustments were made and oath was taken, and within 15 hours Fadnavis systematically ensured that it (money) reached where it had to and protected it.”
Sena MP Sanjay Raut called it “backstabbing and treachery with Maharashtra”, and NCP’s Nawab Malik said if Hegde was to be believed, “it will have serious consequences and result in PM Narendra Modi’s resignation as the flames of this will spread all over the country”.
A high-ranking bureaucrat in Mumbai described Hegde’s claim as incorrect. “We have seen the statement of Hegde, it is incorrect and false,” he said. Although Hegde had not mentioned any particular project, Fadnavis did, saying, “A central government company is implementing the bullet train project, where the Maharashtra government’s role is restricted to land acquisition. Neither did the Centre ask for any funds nor did Maharashtra government send them back… Not a single rupee of Maharashtra government has been returned to the Centre from any other project.”
Hegde, who is known for his controversial statements, had said, “You all know our man in Maharashtra became CM for 80 hours.
