Ambernath BJP council head meets Shinde over below-estimate tenders; party district chief explains

Differences between the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) appear to be surfacing in the Ambernath Municipal Council over below-estimate tenders. Tenders are being filled at low rates for the council's development works, raising the question of whether the works will be completed on time.

It has now emerged that BJP council president Tejashri Karanjule met State Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and MP Dr Shrikant Shinde along with BJP councillors. The meeting has intensified talk in Ambernath's political circles.

A tender process is under way in the council for various development works. For some of them, below-estimate tenders have been submitted, that is, tenders quoted at rates lower than the estimated tender value. Concern is being expressed over whether these works can be completed on schedule and with the expected quality.

It is said that Karanjule met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with BJP councillors on this very issue. According to the information available, questions related to the implementation of development works were discussed at the meeting.

Kalyan district BJP president Nandkishore Parab has clarified the meeting. According to him, below-estimate tenders are being submitted for some development works in the council, so questions are being raised about whether they will be completed on time. Parab said that if the works are not completed on time, responsibility could be placed on the BJP council president and the BJP. For this reason, he said, Karanjule met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with BJP councillors to discuss the matter.

It is also being said, citing sources, that some people from the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) are among those who submitted below-estimate tenders. However, this claim has not been independently confirmed, and any allegations or claims related to it must be treated with caution.

The below-estimate tender issue is no longer limited to the tender process and development works. It could also become important for relations between the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). Political circles are watching whether differences between the two parties will grow over timely completion of works, the tender process and the quality of works.

Still, to say conclusively that the matter has started a direct political clash between the two parties, official information and the stands of the parties concerned will have to come out. What stand the Ambernath Municipal Council takes on below-estimate tenders in the coming days, and what decisions are made on the development works, will be important to watch.