Turf Battle Escalates: Ganesh Naik Levels Allegations Against Eknath Shinde Over Land Allotments in Navi Mumbai

A simmering turf battle between senior BJP leader Ganesh Naik and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has escalated after Naik on Saturday levelled serious allegations over land allotments in Navi Mumbai, remarks that were widely seen as aimed at the Urban Development department headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The criticism drew a swift and sharp response from Shinde’s son, Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde on Sunday, who challenged Naik to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha election from Thane or Kalyan and said he would stand against him and slammed Naik for his repeated comments against senior Shinde. “These plots were reserved for hospitals, gardens and schools. Instead, they have been pushed into the throats of builders through middlemen,” Naik said. “I am part of this Cabinet. If people in our own Urban Development department( Eknath Shinde ) are doing this, how can I remain silent? I have not taken up a ministerial post to keep quiet. If I cannot speak for the people, what is the use of being a minister,” Naik said Saturday. Naik demanded that land parcels meant for public purposes be restored and handed over immediately to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation(NMMC). Although Naik did not mention Shinde by name, the Urban Development department is under the Deputy Chief Minister, and the comments were interpreted in political circles as a direct swipe. Responding to the remarks, Shrikant Shinde dismissed the allegations and questioned Naik’s intentions. “If he has so much enthusiasm, he should contest the Lok Sabha election,” Shrikant Shinde said. “Let him contest from Kalyan or Thane. I will stand against him.”