Mumbai: Shiv Sena demands audit of funds spent by Sanjay Nirupam during his tenure as MP

The gloves are off. Days after Sanjay Nirupam accused senior Shiv Sena leader and MoS Housing Ravindra Waikar of usurping 20 acres of land worth R20 crore in Aarey Colony and making an illegal construction in a state-run gymnasium there, the Shiv Sena has upped the ante against the Mumbai Congress chief.

Sanjay Nirupam

It has demanded an audit of the funds spent by Nirupam for north Mumbai during his tenure as MP. Nirupam was elected as the Congress MP in 2009. He lost the parliamentary elections in 2014.

"Nirupam, too, was an MP. As a public representative, the then Congress MP, too, had used his parliamentary funds on construction of public amenities. An audit of work done by Nirupam in the five years of his tenure as MP should be undertaken by government agencies. I am sure one would certainly find several irregularities in the nature of work or the way public money was spent," a senior Shiv Sena leader alleged.

Nirupam had also alleged that Waikar had cleared projects in Jogeshwari of "personal interest" in the Slum Rehabilitation Authority. Waikar is an MLA from Jogeshwari.

‘Did nothing wrong'
Meanwhile, Waikar refuted all charges levelled against him, adding that the MHADA should speak about structures being constructed through funds of public representatives. "Political leaders cutting across party lines, too, have spent their funds for such ground- plus-one structures," he said.

The minister said he has done nothing wrong and would come out clean in the probe ordered by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

On his part, Nirupam said he is ready for an audit of his works. "By pointing fingers at others, the Sena cannot run away from the fact that its minister violated the rules. Waikar should first admit to wrongdoing and then level charges against other parties and leaders," he said.

Nirupam said he is open to an audit. "Sena should first admit their minister involvement in irregularities before pointing fingers at others."