Prafulla Marpakwar (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 10, 2020)

Mumbai: NCP chief Sharad Pawar has expressed disquiet over the manner in which the BMC demolished a portion of the Bandra bungalow of actor Kangana Ranaut.

The NCP leader has taken the view that the civic action was in haste, and as a result, drew censure from the Bombay high court.

“I have no information on the illegal construction. Illegal and unauthorised constructions are not new for BMC. But questions have been raised, in view of the current situation and timing of the demolition. Certainly, BMC has its own rules; the officials involved in the demolition process must have followed the procedure,” Pawar said.

Later in the day, Pawar had a prolonged meeting with Uddhav Thackeray at Varsha, CM’s official residence. According to reports, they discussed the Ranaut issue, the Supreme Court verdict on Maratha reservation, and the Covid pandemic.

While Congress did not react to Pawar’s statement, senior NCP leaders endorsed his views. “In Mumbai, there are 95,000 unauthorised structures, but BMC is taking action selectively. The demolition has had an adverse impact on the MVA government,” a senior NCP minister told TOI.

Pawar did not name Ranaut, but indicated that undue importance was being given to her comments. “...People of Maharashtra are aware of the confidence and professionalism of the Mumbai as well as Maharashtra Police. If someone compares the force with those in Pakistan or any other country, there is no need to take cognizance. Media should not give undue publicity to such statements.”

On the threat calls received by him, Pawar said home minister Anil Deshmukh has given him the details. “According to information from the home minister, I have received seven calls. In the past too, I had received similar calls, but he never attached importance to them.”
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Governor summons principal advisor to CM, criticises ‘inept handling of Kangana episode’

Prafulla Marpakwar (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 10, 2020)

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari showed his displeasure over chief minister Uddhav Thackeray’s “inept handling of the Kangana Ranaut episode”, particularly the haste shown by the Shiv Sena-controlled BMC in demolishing sections of the actor’s Bandra bungalow. Koshyari is likely to submit a report to the Centre on the controversy.

According to reports, Koshyari summoned the CM’s principal advisor Ajoy Mehta to discuss the situation arising out of Ranaut’s statements and demolition of bungalow. “The governor expressed displeasure over the inept handling of the Ranaut episode. Her office was demolished a day after she issued statements against the state government. Mehta was asked to convey Koshyari’s sentiments to Thackeray,” a senior official said.

Koshyari and Thackeray have been at loggerheads ever since the former took over the gubernatorial assignment in 2019. First there was the prolonged row over Thackeray’s nomination on the legislative council as a governor nominee—he was ultimately elected after PM Modi intervened—followed by the issue over conducting final-year exams. The latest flashpoint is the 12 nominations for legislative council seats.