BJP chief Amit Shah is believed to have asked party general secretary in charge of Maharashtra Saroj Pandey to visit Mumbai on Saturday to take stock of the situation especially when state Housing Minister Prakash Mehta faces allegation of providing additional floor space index (FSI) to a private developer in violation of stipulated rules. This had benefitted the concerned developer worth Rs 500 crore.
In another case, Mehta has been accused of intervening in the allotment of MHADA (Maharashtra Housing & Area Development Authority) land to favour a real estate firm. Pandey is expected to brief Shah and submit her report on the ground reality.
Pandey told DNA, "I will be arriving in Mumbai on Saturday.'' However, she declined to divulge further details.
However, a senior party functionary hinted that Pandey will meet senior party leaders and may hold a one-on-one meeting with CM Devendra Fadnavis to understand the issue involving Mehta.
"Pandey is the general secretary in charge of Maharashtra and is authorised to submit her observations to party bosses. It is a regular practice,'' he said.
Pandey's visit assumes significance especially when Fadnavis on Thursday rejected the Opposition's demand to sack Mehta or remove him from the housing department.
Instead, Fadnavis attacked the Opposition for targeting Mehta with political motive. He went on add that an inquiry will be conducted. Despite's Fadnavis' defence in Mehta's favour, the Opposition has decided to step up the demand for the minister's resignation.
On his part, Mehta on Thursday reiterated that he has not done any wrong in both the cases flagged by the Opposition parties.
"I am prepared to face inquiry that has been announced by the chief minister. There is no question of resignation,'' he said, adding that he has already sought an appointment with party president Amit Shah to argue his case.
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