Atul Save accused of seeking commission to grant funds

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Vandana Khandebharad, the Jalna district president of NCP women’s wing, on Saturday, accused Maharashtra housing minister and Jalna district guardian minister Atul Save of demanding cuts and commissions to grant funds.
The rift between Mahayuti alliance partners has once again come out in the open in Jalna, which, in the recent past, saw similar allegations and counter-allegations between the alliance partners over the distribution of funds to the works proposed by Shiv Sena and NCP.
A video depicting Khandebharad stopping Save and getting into an argument over him not meeting her, despite her coming to Save’s office is also being shared on social media.
Speaking to reporters, Khandebharad demanded an inquiry against the minister and said, “I have been asking for funds for works under the district planning and development committee, but he (Save) is not giving us any work. When agreeing to give work, he has been asking for a 10-15% cut and commission. Though we are a part of the ruling alliance and belong to Ajit Pawar-led NCP, he is asking us to give cuts and commission. Imagine the situation of the common people.”
Despite repeated calls and text messages, Save could not be reached for his comments.
Allegations from an alliance partner have not gone down well with the BJP leadership, which has refuted the charges and said that such allegations could play in favour of the opposition parties. BJP state general secretary Sanjay Kenekar told TOI, “Atul Save is known for his integrity and after knowing him for many years, I can say that the allegations are baseless and false.”