Mayor’s stand on Tukaram Mundhe puts CM Devendra Fadnavis in dilemma

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had stated that the state can’t accept the resolution passed by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) against municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, but he is in a dilemma over whether to ignore the mayor’s opinion in the case, as the mayor is from the Dalit community.

A Sena insider claimed it would be difficult for the CM to reinstate Mr Mundhe, as Mr Fadnavis is already in trouble over unrest in the Maratha community. Meanwhile, the CM on Friday refused to meet an all-party delegation from NMMC, containing representatives of all parties except BJP, over the ousting of Mr Mundhe.

Meanwhile, mayor Sudhakar Sonawane on Friday said he would resign from his post if the CM fails to respect the no-confidence motion passed against Mr Mundhe earlier this week.

The mayor made the comment after Mr Sonawane along with members of Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party met Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree.

“The CM will follow the rules. He will implement the resolution. Otherwise, I will have no option to resign from the post.”

Mr Thackeray while speaking with media persons said the CM would obey the decision taken by the NMMC against Mr Mundhe. A no-confidence motion was passed by Congress-NCP and Shiv Sena corporators against Mr Mundhe earlier this week.

Mr Sonawane urged Mr Thackeray to speak with the CM, and Mr Thackeray assured them that he would. He said, “If the CM does not want to respect the majority and decision taken in a democratic way, then he should change the rules. Withdraw the right of passing of no-confidence motion from the corporators and act according to the will of the CM.”

Mr Thackeray further said that when all party corporators came together across party lines against the commissioner, the CM should think about the reason behind it.