Rohit Pawar alleges irregularities in land transfer for BJP’s new HQ; CM Fadnavis denies claims

NCP SP leader Rohit Pawar on Tuesday alleged that multiple conditions were violated during the transfer of land allotted for the Maharashtra BJPrsquos new headquarters in south MumbaiIn a post on X Pawar claimed that authorities had overlooked several irregularities simply because the land was being used for the saffron partyrsquos office His remarks came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the new BJP office near Churchgate railway stationAccording to the news agency PTI Pawar who serves as NCP SP general secretary said he and other party representatives met BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to discuss the issue in detailldquoWe submitted a memorandum listing all our queries and objections The Commissioner assured us that a written clarification would be provided soon and we are awaiting that responserdquo Pawar statedHe further questioned the administrationrsquos transparency and demanded a thorough inquiry into the land allotment processldquoThis involves valuable public land and citizens deserve to know the truthrdquo he said urging the BMC to disclose all details related to the lease and transfer processResponding to the allegations Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the claims made by Rohit Pawar and Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut clarifying that the BJP had purchased private land near Churchgate station following all legal procedures and with due permissionsAs per PTI Fadnavis said the upcoming building designed by architect Hafiz Contractor will be completed within two to twoandahalf years with an emphasis on functionality low maintenance and ample parking spaceldquoOnly the necessary FSI has been usedrdquo he addedMaharashtra govt orders checking of sugar institute funds Rohit Pawar claims Baramati targetedThe Maharashtra government has directed the sugar commissioner to form a committee to audit the funds provided to the Punebased Vasantdada Sugar Institute VSI for research and verify whether they were appropriately utilised officials said on Tuesday reported news agency PTINCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar however said the order issued by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was not part of a routine process The decision to form the committee indicates that the ruling BJP has now turned its attention to Baramati after ThaneNotably NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar is the president of VSI while Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and rival NCP leader Ajit Pawar is a member of the research instituteBaramati in Pune district is the Pawar familys stronghold while Thane is the political turf of Shiv Sena leader and Deputy CM Eknath ShindeMaharashtras Sugar Commissioner Sanjay Kolte said We generally collect Re 1 per tonne of crushed sugar for VSI from the sugar mills in the state and the funds collected are used for research and development activities in the sugar industry In a cabinet meeting held on September 30 instructions were given to form a committee to check how these funds are being utilised reported PTIOn Monday we received the minutes of the meeting and accordingly the committee will be formed he saidAsked if there was any complaint over the utilisation of funds Kolte said there was noneIt was discussed in the cabinet meeting and accordingly the minutes have been received he added