Two senior BJP ministers in the state are fighting each other over the spacious and one of the most sought-after ministerial bungalows-- Devgiri in Malabar Hill.
Two senior BJP ministers in the state are fighting each other over the spacious and one of the most sought-after ministerial bungalows-- Devgiri in Malabar Hill.
According to sources, school education minister Vinod Tawde and finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar have both expressed their desire to get the bungalow.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had put the allotment of this bungalow on hold. A senior party functionary from New Delhi is expected to intervene in the matter.
Devgiri is a spacious bungalow with a lush green garden. Earlier, it was occupied by former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, the nephew of NCP president Sharad Pawar.
After Varsha, the chief minister's official residence, Ramtek and Devgiri are the most sought-after ministerial bungalows in Maharashtra. Ramtek has been allotted to revenue and forest minister Eknath Khadse, who was also a chief ministerial aspirant.
Why are the two fighting?
Tawde and Mungantiwar also nurtured chief ministerial ambitions. They had to settle for less-important portfolios as they failed to muster enough numbers within the party in the race to become the chief minister. Now, they want to pacify themselves by getting the residence of their choice for five years.
Where are the two put up now?
Tawde is staying in a house in front of Mantralaya, which had already been allotted to him as the leader of opposition in Legislative council. Mungantiwar stays at his private residence in Worli.
Was there a fight over Ramtek, too?
Rural development minister Pankaja Munde, daughter of late Gopinath Munde, had sought Ramtek. Her argument was that since she had spent her childhood there when her father was the home minister (1995-1999), she is in love with the bungalow. She was, however, allotted the smaller Royal Stone bungalow. Ramtek was allotted to senior BJP minister Eknath Khadse.
Who allots ministerial bungalows?
A person close to Tawde told dna that it's the prerogative of the chief minister. "Whatever the residence the CM allots us, we are going to stay there. If Devgiri is allotted, we will be happy. Otherwise, we will continue to function from the present residence."
What's Mungantiwar saying?
Mungantiwar was not available for comment. A BJP party worker close to him said that Mungantiwar was supposed to get either home or revenue in the ministry. But he was given finance. Allotment of bungalows should be done as per demand and party seniority. "We have made a formal request in this regard. Now, the CM should take the final call because we have been staying in our our private residence for almost two months."
Why is the CM not intervening?
The Chief Minister's Office told dna that unless and until the ministers resolve the dispute themselves, the CM has decided to put the allotment on hold. "Senior party leaders from Delhi may intervene to end this dispute," an official said.
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