MUMBAI: As a result of the ongoing rift between Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam and Maharashtra transport minister Anil Parab, the party is unlikely to renominate Kadam to the state legislative council after his term as an MLC ends in January 2022, and may instead opt for a new face to replace Kadam.
Over the weekend, a series of audio clips of conversations between Kadam and one of his associates went viral. In the audio clips, Kadam is heard expressing happiness, reportedly over action taken by various authorities against alleged illegal constructions on land owned by Parab in Ratnagiri and Mumbai. Kadam is also heard saying that he was planning to meet BJP leaders Pravin Darekar and former MP Kirit Somaiya.
Kadam, however, denied any rift between him and Parab, and said that this was only an attempt to defame him before chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Somaiya had filed a complaint accusing Parab of illegally constructing a resort on an agricultural land. The resort is built in Murud village of Dapoli. Somaiya had accused the minister of CRZ violations while constructing the resort. Parab, however, maintained that he did not own the land and he had nothing to do with the construction. Officials said the revenue department had conducted a probe and given a clean chit to Parab.
Kadam was a cabinet minister in the earlier BJP-Sena government, but has been sidelined in the present Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
“The issue has reached the CM, and the rift between the two ministers seems to have damaged the image of the party and the government. In view of this, it is unlikely that Kadam will be given another term in the legislative council. The party will nominate a fresh face from Mumbai. Kadam is most likely to be dropped when his term ends,” said a senior Sena functionary. The elections for the two seats to the legislative council from the BMC will be held early next year.
On Saturday, MNS functionary Vaibhav Khedekar had released eight audio clips in a press conference. The duo alleged the information about the alleged irregularities at the resort linked to Parab was given to the BJP by Kadam.
In the audio clips, Kadam is reportedly heard talking to his close associate Prasad Karve about irregularities at the Dapoli resort and Parab’s office in Bandra (E). In another clip, Karve talks to Kadam about arranging a meeting with Somaiya.
“All this has been done to defame me before Uddhavji. I have already clarified to the media that the clips are fake. I enjoy good relations with Parab and he is my co-worker in Shiv Sena. I have already filed defamation cases against those who released the clips in the past. I have exposed their corruption so they are trying to defame me. The party has not asked for any explanation from me,” Kadam told TOI.
Parab was not available for comment.
