Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab, whose alleged “illegal” office here was razed, on Tuesday challenged Bharatiya Janata Party’s ex-MP Kirit Somaiya to prove his charges that the premises were unauthorised.

Addressing the media at the MHADA Colony in Bandra east, Parab said the structure was demolished by the society members on Monday after MHADA last week refused permission to regularise it.

Dismissing Somaiya’s claims, he hit back to accuse the BJP leader of “working against the interests of the poor Marathi people” especially since the MHDA complex is now going for a redevelopment.

“By targeting me like this, Somaiya – who has taken a ‘supari’ (contract) from the builders – will try to misuse the notice and pressurize the society members here against asking for additional area (of the flats) in the redevelopment project,” claimed Parab.

Along with some society members, Parab emphatically said that after the MHADA declined permission to regularise the office due to Somaiya’s coercion, the society on its own flattened the office.

Somaiya – who first raised the issue before the Lokayukta in September 2021 – claimed that the MHADA brought the axe on Parab’s “illegal office”, which the Society and the Sena (UBT) leader rejected.

Parab, who was a minister then, said that he had informed MHADA of having nothing to do with the land or the structure or the demolition orders then, and Somaiya’s false allegations were intended to discredit him.

The society members said that they had asked Parab to base his office here for the benefit of the people in the MHADA complex to which he had agreed.

“Fake news is being spread on this issue. I challenge Somaiya to come and view the demolished office and we shall give him a proper areception’,” declared Parab.

As Somaiya drove to the venue, Mumbai Police stopped his vehicle near Bandra Kurla Complex ostensibly to prevent any law and order issue.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday called a special meeting of all the MPs of Maharashtra at Sahyadri guest house in Mumbai for discussions ahead of the Union Budget.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Navneet Rana MP, Dhananjay Mahadik BJP MP, Imtiaz Jaleel MP MIM, Narayan Rane MP BJP, Poonam Mahajan MP BJP, Amol Kole MP NCP were all present in the meeting at Sahyadri guest house in Mumbai.

Sena [UBT], Congress MPs amiss from the do

Meanwhile, the Sena MPs from the Uddhav Thackeray faction, as well as those of the Congress skipped the Union Budget discussion called for by CM Eknath Shinde.

Discussion on development needed in Maharashtra

Discussions at the meeting centered on the kind of development that is needed more in Maharashtra, and the type of development projects that need to be implemented, and the kind of schemes that are lacking presently.
The MPs put forward their suggestions and opinions on various issues, ranging from a flyover bridge or a dam to be built on a river to a medical college or other such things.

Missing MPs not concerned about Maharastra, BJP leader

BJP MP Dhananjaya Mahadik said, “The Uddhav Thackeray group and Congress MPs did not come to the meeting as they are not concerned about the state.” Mahadik said all the MPs were allowed to raise issues pertaining to their respective constituencies at the meeting.

Despite being a part of the Opposition MVA, NCP MP Amol Kolhe attended the meeting. He said, “I opposed my party’s decision and attended the meeting so that I can put forward my views on the Budget for my region.”  A total of 64 development issues of the state were discussed at the meeting.

 Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar on Monday met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and urged him to revoke the disqualification of party’s Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal whose conviction has been suspended by the Kerala High Court.

Pawar said, “As the Kerala High Court suspended the conviction and sentence of the former Lakshadweep MP and hence we appealed to the honourable speaker to consider the matter of suspension.”

He said that he met with the Lok Sabha speaker and requested him to revoke the disqualification of the NCP’s MP.

The Election Commission (EC) on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it will consider the Kerala High Court order, which suspended the conviction of Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal in an attempt to murder case, and take action in accordance with the law.

Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Faizal, submitted before a bench headed by Justice K.M. Joseph that the by-election cannot go on as the high court has suspended the conviction of his client.

Faizal’s conviction had resulted in his disqualification from the Lok Sabha. The bypoll was announced by the EC after Faizal was disqualified following his conviction in the case.

Senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing the EC, contended before the bench, also comprising B.V. Nagarathna, that the action will be taken in accordance with law against the backdrop of the high court order.