BJP Official Faces Police Case After Alleged Ruckus in Pune Civic Office
In a controversial incident in Pune, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office-bearer allegedly created a ruckus in the chamber of a senior civic official within just two hours of the party's mayor and deputy mayor taking charge at the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). The event has sparked concerns over political interference in municipal affairs.
Allegations of Abuse and Threats Over Tender Conditions
The office-bearer, identified as Popat Hazare, vice-president of the BJP's Pimpri Chinchwad unit, is accused of abusing and threatening staff present in the office. According to reports, he pressured officials to modify tender conditions for setting up a rehabilitation centre for beggars and homeless persons under the Centre's SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme.
The official later approached the Sant Tukaramnagar police station, where a non-cognisable offence was registered against Hazare. Police stated that the incident occurred around 1:30 PM on Friday, shortly after BJP mayor Ravi Landge and deputy mayor Sharmila Babar assumed office around noon. They were elected unopposed during the civic body's first general body meeting, marking the BJP's return to power in PCMC after four years of administrative rule.
Police Action and Legal Charges
Police booked Hazare under sections related to obstructing a public servant in the discharge of duty, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace. A senior PCMC official revealed that Hazare had been pressuring officials for several days through calls and messages, demanding changes to tender conditions to ensure his firm secured the contract.
According to the complaint, Hazare entered the officer's cabin on Friday, shouted at officials, demanded that the contract be awarded to his firm, and issued threats if his demands were not met. This aggressive behavior has raised questions about ethical conduct in public procurement processes.
Background on the Rehabilitation Centre Project
The civic body had floated tenders to set up a rehabilitation centre as part of the SMILE scheme. Once implemented, PCMC would become only the second municipal body in Maharashtra, after Nagpur, to roll out this initiative. While PCMC already operates a shelter home for such individuals, the proposed centre would serve as an additional facility, highlighting the importance of the project for social welfare.
The tender for the project is valued at Rs 30 lakh, and it has been issued three times, indicating its significance and the competitive nature of the bidding process.
Hazare's Defense and Claims
Responding to the allegations, Hazare stated that his firm had applied for the tender on all three occasions it was issued and was eligible for the project. He explained, "On Friday, when I went to enquire about the tender, I was informed that it was awarded to a firm from another city. The officer told me to speak to someone else from the department for clarification and leave the cabin, following which an altercation broke out."
Hazare added that his firm has been involved in rehabilitating beggars and homeless persons in Dehu for the past few years and that he wished to extend the work to Pimpri Chinchwad. He emphasized his commitment to social service, but the incident has cast a shadow over his methods and intentions.
Implications for Governance and Political Accountability
This incident underscores the challenges in maintaining transparency and integrity in municipal governance, especially with the BJP's recent return to power in PCMC. It raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the need for strict adherence to legal and ethical standards in public tendering processes.
As the police investigation proceeds, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability among political representatives and officials in ensuring fair and just administration for the citizens of Pune.
