Aaditya Alleges ‘Pressure Tactics’ To Oust Maharashtra's First Woman Chief Secy: ‘If Illegal CM Wants To…’

Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised the Maharashtra government's rumoured plan to replace Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, alleging that she is under "a lot of pressure" to "voluntarily step down".

File photo of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray

Source : PTI

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray lashed out at the Maharashtra government on Friday over reports that it plans to replace the state's first woman Chief Secretary, Sujata Saunik, with someone backed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Previously, Aaditya Thackeray referenced President Droupadi Murmu's recent comments on the safety of women in the context of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.

The comments of Thackeray came after Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant shared reports suggesting that Sujata might be replaced by Iqbal Singh Chahal, the former chief of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the recently appointed Additional Chief Secretary (Home), who is facing corruption allegations.

On Friday, Aaditya in a post on X, claimed that the Maharashtra government is exerting "a lot of pressure" on Saunik to "voluntarily step down" and head the election commission. "If the illegal CM wants to change her, he can issue an order. But he has no guts to. Then why force a capable officer to take voluntary retirement, even though she’s due for retirement next year?" he asked.

As per sources, Madan ji is to retire on 4th September and there is a lot of pressure from the bjp- mindhe sarkar on Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik ji to voluntarily step down and head the election commission in our state.

The point is, why?
Only because she’s a very capable…

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) August 30, 2024

Before this, on Thursday, the Sena UBT wrote, "Just as the President of India, Murmu ji, speaks about countering the mindset that sees women as 'less powerful, less capableâ€æ', reports state that the BJP-Mindhe government in Maharashtra is working on making Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik ji resign even before her tenure ends, to accommodate one of their favourites who can help BJP loot Maharashtra."

Just as the @rashtrapatibhvn President of India, Murmu ji, speaks about countering the mindset that sees women as “less powerful, less capable…”

reports state that the bjp- mindhe govt in Maharashtra is working on making Chief Secretary, Sujata Saunik ji, resign even before her… pic.twitter.com/ooHuRnkCIp

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) August 29, 2024

"What a shame! Why should she resign before her tenure ends? Only because the illegal Chief Minister and BJP want their man who can give contracts to their ladka (male) contractors? This is the same mindhe-BJP mindset that tries to lure women votes through Ladki Bahin, but has cabinet ministers who have been accused of crimes against women," Aaditya also stated.

Sachin Sawant's Allegations Against Maharashtra Govt

Maharashtra Congress leader Sachin Sawant had earlier alleged that there was a move to appoint Sujata Saunik as the State Election Commissioner to make way for Iqbal Chahal. He questioned whether this was an attempt to facilitate the appointment of Iqbal as Chief Secretary with the support of a confidant of Eknath Shinde, India Today reported.

Iqbal Chahal has been involved in several controversies, including alleged irregularities in contracts for COVID care centres amid the pandemic. His recent appointment as the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) drew criticism from the Opposition.

Sachin Sawant also cited the transfer of IAS officer V Radha from the agriculture department due to alleged conflicts with Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde, from the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, which is part of the Shinde-led government.

These developments come as the position of the State Election Commissioner of Maharashtra is set to become vacant.