The pressure is now on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as Opposition and activists push for action over the Kandivli dance bar case; Kadam is an MLA from the Dapoli Assembly constituency in the coastal Konkan region
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. FILE PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde publicly coming out in support of his party MLA and minister, Yogesh Kadam, who is facing allegations over links to a dance bar, could complicate matters for alliance partner BJP.
The Opposition and social activist Anjali Damani were expecting action from the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government against Yogesh Kadam over his alleged connection to an illegal dance bar in Kandivli, a suburb in western Mumbai.
However, on Sunday, while addressing a public rally, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said, “Yogesh, you need not worry, this Eknath is with you.”
Kadam is an MLA from the Dapoli Assembly constituency in the coastal Konkan region. The son of senior Sena leader Ramdas Kadam, Yogesh, has been embroiled in controversy for the past couple of weeks over his alleged link to the Kandivli dance bar.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. FILE PIC/ SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI (right) Minister of State for Home Affairs, Yogesh Kadam. FILE PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Now, with Shinde, a key figure in the Mahayuti government (comprising the BJP, Shinde-led Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP), openly backing his party MLA and minister, both Fadnavis and the BJP will have to think twice before initiating any action.
Besides Kadam, other MLAs from the Shinde camp, Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirshat, MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, and Arjun Khotkar, have also been involved in controversies that have created friction among alliance partners.
Sensing that no action may be taken against the ministers under fire, the Shiv Sena (UBT) camp escalated pressure on Monday by meeting Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan. The UBT delegation demanded action against Kadam and Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, an MLA from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
During the recently concluded monsoon session of the state legislature, UBT MLC (Member of the Legislative Council) Anil Parab cited an FIR registered by Mumbai Police against a bar allegedly owned by Yogesh Kadam’s mother. Parab, along with the entire opposition, demanded action against Kadam, who holds the Minister of State for Home portfolio in the Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government.
In fact, last week, social activist Anjali Damani visited the Kandivli bar to obtain firsthand information from the police about the case. After the visit, the activist stated that if the government, read: Devendra Fadnavis, fails to act, she will have no choice but to move court against the erring minister.
Not all under fire will face heat, indicates CM
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hinted that there is no need to take action against all ministers facing allegations. Speaking to a journalist at an event, Fadnavis admitted that while some ministers may have made mistakes, it doesn’t necessarily warrant action. His remarks suggested a possible reprieve for some (if not all) ministers currently under fire for their actions or statements. “There are complaints against some ministers. But the credibility and background of those making the complaints also need to be taken into consideration,” Fadnavis added.
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