Shiv Sena urges Fadnavis to include 'Lokayukta' in his cabinet

The Shiv Sena on Monday urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to include a Lokayukta in his state cabinet to ensure transparency and an end to corruption, rather than wasting his time targeting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (MBC).

"If the CM is so committed to transparency, we welcome that, but why doesn't he start from his Mantralaya. We have earlier said that they should put a 'Lokayukta' in their cabinet, then the truth will be clear," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told ANI.

Slamming Fadnavis for corruption in the BJP-ruled Nagpur Municipal Corporation and the Maharashtra government, an editorial in the Saamana has asked Fadnavis to appoint a Deputy Lokayukta at Varsha, his official residence, to ensure transparency in governance.

"Is there corruption only in the BMC? Why don't you appoint a Deputy Lokayukta for the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation?" said Sanjay Raut.

Earlier in the week, the BJP withdrew from the race for the post of mayor of the BMC. Fadnavis had also announced that he would request the Maharashtra Lokayukta to appoint a Deputy Lokayukta exclusively for Mumbai to ensure a transparent city administration.

In the 227-member BMC House, the Shiv Sena secured 84 seats, the BJP got 82, the Congress 31, the NCP nine, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena seven, the Samajwadi Party six, the AIMIM two, the Akhil Bharatiya Sena one while five Independents also won. Four independents had extended support to the Shiv Sena, while the ABS had offered to support the BJP, which were yet still far away from the magic figure of 114 for electing their Mayor.