Malegaon Mayor Accuses BJP's Kirit Somaiya of Interfering in Civic Administration
In a significant development in Nashik, Malegaon Mayor Nasrin Shaikh has launched a sharp criticism against former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya. Mayor Shaikh has explicitly accused Somaiya, who currently does not hold any constitutional position, of actively engaging in what she describes as "cheap and dirty politics" and improperly interfering in the routine administrative operations of the Malegaon Municipal Corporation.
Formal Complaint Filed with Civic Chief
To address her concerns, Mayor Nasrin Shaikh has taken official action by writing a formal letter to the civic chief of Malegaon. In this communication, she has firmly requested that no information or data pertaining to municipal affairs be provided to Kirit Somaiya unless it has been thoroughly validated and approved by the Municipal House. This move underscores her stance on maintaining procedural integrity and preventing external political influence on civic governance.
Allegations of Forged Certificates and SIT Investigation
The controversy stems from allegations previously made by Kirit Somaiya regarding the Malegaon Municipal Corporation's issuance of birth and death certificates. Somaiya had publicly claimed that delayed certificates issued by the civic body were forged and illegally provided to individuals from Bangladesh and the Rohingya community. However, Deputy Mayor Shan-e-Hind has countered these allegations, stating that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has conducted inquiries into the matter.
According to Deputy Mayor Shan-e-Hind, the SIT investigations have found no evidence to substantiate Somaiya's claims. He emphasized that the probe results do not support the accusations of forgery or illegal distribution of certificates to foreign nationals, thereby challenging the credibility of Somaiya's statements.
Political Implications and Administrative Integrity
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between local administrative bodies and political figures in Maharashtra. The mayor's accusations reflect a broader concern about political interference in civic functions, which can potentially disrupt public service delivery and administrative efficiency. By demanding House validation for information sharing, Mayor Shaikh aims to uphold transparency and accountability within the municipal framework.
The situation also raises questions about the role of former officials in current administrative matters, especially when they lack formal authority. As the dispute unfolds, it may influence public perception and trust in local governance structures, with both sides presenting their narratives to defend their positions.
