Just after facing embarrassment at the hands of its minister Bhaskar Jadhav for organising a lavish wedding for his daughter, the state wing of the NCP is again in the centre of a controversy after the party’s demand to transfer Beed collector Sunil Kendrekar. After the news of his reported transfer order came to light, the public resorted to demonstration, demanding a stay on the transfer order in the district. Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers Mahasangh (MSGOM) on Thursday demanded that Mr Kendrekar not be transferred, stating that he is a good and honest officer. However, the NCP has claimed that he should be transferred, as he is unable to efficiently discharge his duties, at the time when the entire district is grappling with drought. On the other hand, people opposing the transfer have alleged that the collector stopped certain politically connected people from siphoning off funds meant for drought relief, which is the reason behind such a move. Sources in the Mantralaya said that public works minister (MSRDC) Jaydutt Kshirsagar, who hails from Beed legislative constituency wants Mr Kendrekar to be transferred, and chief minister Prithviraj Chavan is not keen on fulfilling the NCP’s demand. The NCP ministers raised the same demand during the cabinet meet on Wednesday. The ministers had alleged that he was an irresponsible officer and had leanings towards the BJP. The NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik on Thurday alleged that Mr Kendrekar was not performing his duties properly. “Compared to Beed district, Ahmednagar is not that affected with drought, but has more water tankers and fodder camps than Beed. This is because Mr Kendrekar has given a wrong report in this regard,” he said.
