Maharashtra FDA Minister Offers Conditional Resignation Amid Mantralaya Bribery Scandal
In a dramatic development, Maharashtra's Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Minister Narhari Zirwal declared on Friday that he would resign from his ministerial position if an ongoing investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) establishes any connection between him and a bribery case. This statement came directly in response to mounting pressure from opposition parties, who have vociferously demanded his immediate removal following the arrest of a clerk from his department at the state secretariat, Mantralaya.
Arrest and Allegations in the Heart of Government
The controversy erupted after ACB officials apprehended Raju Sampat Dherange, a 40-year-old clerk working within the FDA department, on Thursday. The arrest occurred right within the FDA office located on the second floor of Mantralaya. According to ACB sources, Dherange was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 35,000 from a chemist hailing from Latur. The illicit payment was allegedly demanded to facilitate the revocation of the chemist's suspended license, with the total demand reportedly set at Rs 50,000.
Following the arrest, a subsequent search by ACB officials uncovered an additional Rs 42,000 in cash within Dherange's office, prompting the initiation of a comprehensive probe into the matter. The incident has sent shockwaves through the political corridors of Maharashtra, raising serious questions about governance and integrity at the highest levels of state administration.
Opposition's Fierce Demand for Accountability
The opposition wasted no time in capitalizing on the scandal, with State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal leading the charge for Minister Zirwal's resignation. Sapkal condemned the incident, stating, "The functioning of Mantralaya should be people-centric, but Thursday's incident proves that the BJP-led Mahayuti has converted it into a corruption hub. It is quite shameful that the FDA's office in Mantralaya was sealed after the ACB action. Taking moral responsibility, Zirwal should resign immediately."
Adding fuel to the fire, Sapkal revealed that the arrested clerk allegedly informed ACB officials that he accepted the bribe under instructions from his seniors. He urged the investigating agency to unearth the entire nexus and called upon the Chief Minister to ensure a fair investigation by asking Zirwal to step down.
Minister's Defense and Conditional Stance
In his defense, Minister Zirwal emphasized that he was in Delhi when the ACB conducted its operation against his department's clerk. Addressing the media, he acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, "The incident is unpardonable, but I will resign as a minister only if the ACB probe finds any connection of the bribery case with me." When questioned about his moral responsibility, Zirwal affirmed it, adding, "What has happened is serious. The accused will have to face the consequences. He was tasked with preparing papers for departmental hearings."
Broader Political Reactions and Implications
The Shiv Sena (UBT) also joined the chorus of criticism targeting Zirwal. Ambadas Danve, former leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council, remarked, "The FDA has the responsibility of taking action on health-related issues across the state. It is quite unfortunate that the department was compromised for Rs 35,000. The ACB should not stop its action at the clerk, but find the mastermind running the nexus of bribery from Mantralaya."
This scandal unfolds against a backdrop of political maneuvering within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Notably, Zirwal was among the first NCP members to endorse Sunetra Pawar as the successor to Ajit Pawar following the latter's tragic death in a plane crash on January 28. He had previously supported the idea of merging both factions of the NCP, suggesting that Sharad Pawar could lead such an initiative, though he later altered his stance.
The ACB's investigation is now under intense scrutiny, with its findings poised to determine not only the fate of Minister Zirwal but also to impact public trust in the state's administrative machinery. As the probe progresses, all eyes remain on Mantralaya, awaiting clarity on whether this bribery case is an isolated incident or indicative of a deeper, systemic issue within the FDA department.
