Maharashtra's decision to appoint such an auditor in the civic body, which had irked not only the Sena, but also the employees' union, is set to start another battle in the corporation in a couple of days.
The ever-strained love-hate relationship between the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to worsen, this time again over the appointment of a municipal chief auditor.
The state's decision to appoint such an auditor in the civic body, which had irked not only the Sena, but also the employees' union, is set to start another battle in the corporation in a couple of days.
The state finance department, in June, had issued orders to appoint Suresh Bansode as the auditor. As per section 78 (A) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act, 1888, the corporation from time to time should appoint a fit person to be the municipal chief auditor for performing duties as directed by the Act as well as others with regard to the audit of accounts of municipal funds.
However, in 2011-12, the Act was amended with the section being changed to 78 A (1), which stated that the post shall be filled by a suitable officer appointed on deputation by the state from the Maharashtra Finance and Accounts Services. The move was challenged by the Municipal Mazdoor Union in the high court, claiming that it would hamper civic officials' promotions. Bansode, who had gone to the BMC on June 18 to take charge of his office, was then disallowed from doing so after the employees presented him with the court order.
"We had sought legal opinion on the issue and have been told that there is a stay over the appointment. Thus, no person can take charge till the court takes a decision," said a senior BMC official.
It was learnt on Monday that the legal opinion sought by the civic body had reached the desk of municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta, who is reported to be very keen on the appointment.
"The file has come to Mehta's desk and he seems to be contemplating it. We are reaching out to all Opposition parties to stop this at once," said a Sena corporator.
"The work of the auditor is to inquire into the workings of the civic administration and present it to the standing committee. Why should there be an outside person for this?"
The Sena claimed that apart from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), most political parties were eager to unite against the auditor. Opposition parties, including the Congress, NCP and Samajwadi Party, have seconded Sena, which plans to stage a protest on the issue in a day or two.
"We will support the Sena against the appointment. We have a competent team in the BMC, which is capable of running and monitoring all functions and does not require any external vigilance," said SP group leader Rais Shaikh.
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