Two Officers, One Post: What’s Brewing Between Fadnavis and Shinde in Maharashtra? (Image Source: Social Media)
A new controversy has emerged between Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. This time, the dispute is over the appointment of the General Manager of Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST). On August 5, the Maharashtra government issued two different appointment letters, each naming a different officer for the same position.
According to a media report, the Urban Development Department, controlled by Shinde, appointed Ashwini Joshi as the new General Manager of BEST. However, just a few hours later, the General Administration Department (GAD), under Fadnavis's control, issued another notification appointing Ashish Sharma to the same post. When asked about the confusion, Fadnavis said that he does not make decisions regarding BEST and that it is the responsibility of the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation). Meanwhile, the Urban Development Department clarified that no official order had been issued regarding Joshi's appointment.
The BEST Workers’ Union (Kamgar Sena), affiliated with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), criticized the government, saying the incident reflects deep administrative confusion among IAS officers and shows the government’s unwillingness to manage a crumbling institution.
Suhas Samant of the Kamgar Sena said the government had issued an order giving Ashwini Joshi, Additional Commissioner of BMC, the additional charge of BEST. It appears that she refused to take charge, because on the same night, Ashish Sharma who already holds charge of Goods and Services Tax (GST) was also given the additional charge of BEST. When Fadnavis was asked about the confusion, he reiterated that he doesn’t make decisions about BEST that’s the job of BMC.
Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal described the situation as a “gang war” between the CM and Deputy CM to place their loyalists in key or "creamy" positions. Sapkal wrote that a gang war is underway between Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis over the transfer of officers. Two different officers are being appointed to the same post on the same day. Seeing this struggle to place people in top positions, the public is left wondering if this is a government or a street-level fight.
This development comes at a time when Eknath Shinde is visiting Delhi for the second time in a week, sparking speculation that increasing control by Fadnavis over ministers and action against Shinde loyalists might be a reason behind the trip.
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray took a dig at the Mahayuti government over the dual appointments, claiming that coordination between the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister has already broken down. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the CM’s GAD (official department for posts and transfers) issued an order for one name as administrator, while “Gaddarnath’s” UD (Urban Development) department issued an order for another.
Aaditya questioned whether the Deputy CM should have discussed this with the CM first, and whether GAD should have issued such orders. “Why should our state suffer in this ego clash?” he asked.
Ahead of the BEST Workers’ Credit Society elections scheduled for August 18, the UBT’s BEST branch and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have officially come together in a show of strength. A joint statement said that following senior leadership's instructions, both groups have decided that all future battles within BEST will now be jointly fought by BEST Kamgar Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman BEST Karmachari Sena.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Congress also weighed in on the current crisis. Former corporator Sheetal Mhatre flagged concerns over salary delays, lack of fire safety inspections, and the absence of new bus orders — calling them extremely dangerous for the future of the company. The Congress has also demanded an SIT probe into alleged misuse of funds and the use of BEST land for private purposes.
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