Sanjay Raut demands resignation of Eknath Shinde over SC strictures on twin tunnel tender

NASHIK: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut demanded the resignation of deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, who is the minister for public works (public enterprises), over Supreme Court strictures on the MMRDA tender process. Raut, who was in Jalgaon on Saturday, said, "If Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands against corrupt practices, he should immediately call for the resignation of Eknath Shinde over the issue."The Supreme Court passed strictures on the tender related to the Thane Ghodbunder Bhayandar twin tunnel. Raut alleged, “There was a direct appreciation of Rs 3,000 crore in the Rs 14,000 crore contract for the twin tunnel. L&T Company challenged the tender in the Supreme Court, which passed strictures."Raut claimed that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was also unwilling to take action against corruption in the state. "After the Supreme Court's strictures, all that Fadnavis said was that he would not tolerate corruption in the bureaucracy. How has Fadnavis failed to see the corruption in this case and failed to take any action against it," he said.Raut also commented on NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar joining the BJP camp, saying that those with Pawar were confident that he would not join communal forces. “Pawar has been the torchbearer of Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar ideologies, and all those who are with Sharad Pawar are confident that he will never join hands with such forces,” said Raut.