CM Fadnavis with Prakash Mehta as Opposition attacks

Mumbai: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis stood firm behind housing minister Prakash Mehta in the midst of the opposition’s demand for his resignation in the assembly on Thursday. Mr Mehta is facing heat over providing additional Floor Space Index (FSI) to a private developer, in a gross violation of rules. But the CM defended him saying that no work has taken place in the case as the permission was cancelled even it got off the ground.

“Mr Mehta had taken responsibility of the decision. He has already given an explanation. I believe it. No monetary transaction has taken place in it as nothing has happened on ground. Therefore, the issue of his resignation does not arise,” Mr Fadnavis told the council.

The opposition was united in their attack against the government on the issue of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) managing director Radheshyam Mopalwar and Mr Mehta. After Mr Fadnavis announced that Mr Mopalwar would be relieved from his post till the probe is on, the opposition parties targeted Mr Mehta.

Opposition leader Dhananjay Munde raised the issue of Mr Mehta’s resignation. The CM was present in the house and he rejected the demand outright. “We have ordered a probe into the issue. When you were in power, you never even once ordered a probe. Now you are pushing the issue to such extent that one could see politics in it. There is no need of Mr Mehta's resignation," said he said.

But opposition members were not satisfied with the reply. They then resorted to shouting slogans against the government and Mr Mehta. As there was no sign of the uproar abating, council chairman adjourned the house.