The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Thursday criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his decision to ride a motorcycle instead of using his official convoy, with Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad questioning how the move would help in promoting austerity.
Gaikwad's remarks on the CM's ride
In a post on social media platform X, Gaikwad said, "A little bit of mileage difference is all? The CM lives near Nepean Sea Road and had to go to Vidhan Bhawan… If he really wanted to set an example, he could have taken the BEST bus from Napean Sea Road and walked a few meters to reach his destination… It is clear all this austerity talk is just a mere photo op and nothing else."
Gaikwad further claimed that the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate of the bike used by Fadnavis had expired. "So 'Expired Maal' is ok? It appears that CM chose a vehicle with an expired PUC for his Austerity stunt. Will the RTO and Mumbai Traffic Police take action? Will the CMO respond?" she stated.
NCP (SP) MLA joins criticism
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar also targeted the CM over the alleged expired PUC certificate. "Direct action against CM is not possible, but the OSD (officer on special duty) in his office should be held 100% responsible for this and action must be taken against them. CM won't sit there checking the PUC, so what is his office doing?" Rohit asked.
BJP defends Fadnavis
In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed Gaikwad for raising questions about the PUC. BJP chief spokesperson Navnath Ban posted a copy of a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (motor transport department) by Four Seasons Automobiles Pvt Ltd. The letter stated that the company had serviced and tuned up the bike but was unable to process PUC certification as the server was down.
Ban stated, "This official vehicle belongs to the police department. Since the CM himself will be driving it, police had already taken appropriate precautions... Since operations of the vehicle system are closed from May 9 to 18, they had already obtained the certificate stating the vehicle is environmentally compliant."
Shiv Sena (UBT) and further reactions
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MLA Aaditya Thackeray said it is "amazing to see members of the government indulge in a drama of austerity with cameras perfectly placed to film it."
Rohit Pawar suggested that convoys of ministers and officers must certainly be reduced. He added, "If true austerity is to be practiced and public money is to be saved, then the Shaktipeeth Expressway worth Rs 1 lakh crore… should be immediately cancelled."
Inputs by Clara Lewis
