Mumbai Confidential: Setting The Agenda

After its stunning show in the Assembly election results announced on Sunday, the BJP has decided to set the agenda for Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra by asking the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena not to renominate the seven sitting MPs from the party. It has asked the Sena to either replace these candidates or exchange the seats with the BJP. The BJP is also likely to propose to contest 26 Lok Sabha seats out of the 48 and give 11 seats to its alliance partners — Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Shiv Sena.

Tehsildar vs Tehsildar

A bitter legal fight has ensued between two tehsildars — each backed by a Union minister and an MLA from the same party — over the post at the Thane district collector’s office. Despite the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) giving a verdict in favour of original occupant of the seat, the interested candidate approached high court and got a stay on the order. The high court sided with MAT order and the battle is likely to be shifted to the Supreme Court by the powerful MLA, who is in no mood to let the minister have his way.

Raising Eyebrows

Dr Amol Shinde, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s personal secretary, known as one of the key players behind Shinde’s flagship “Shasan Aplya Dari” programme, has been given an additional responsibility as MD of Mahatma Phule Backward Class Development Corporation after the retirement of Bipinkumar Shrimali. The Opposition has already raised voice over PS of ministers being given such responsibilities and Dr Shinde’s elevation is likely to be questioned.