The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has sought a legal opinion from its law section regarding the ouster of deputy municipal commissioner Rahul Gethe. The state government had issued a resolution to absorb Gethe as a feeder cadre official, but he has not cleared the state public service commission examination for the Chief Officer - Group A post.
Background of the Dispute
Gethe, a doctor by profession, was accommodated in the NMMC through a government resolution issued on November 1, 2021. He was previously sent back to the state government by the NMMC. The general body took up the last agenda item for debate and decision.
The political dispute escalated as the fight between the Shiv Sena and the ruling BJP intensified over various issues. The deputy municipal commissioner was transferred during the Covid-19 pandemic when Abhijit Bangar was the commissioner. Later, Gethe returned to the NMMC with a marching order under the state government resolution when Eknath Shinde was chief minister.
Political Tensions
Now, the BJP does not want to relent, as there is no need for the party to seek Sena's support to hold on to power. During the debate, Sena leaders tried to tease the BJP leaders by highlighting the influence Eknath Shinde enjoys. As tension brewed during the general body debate on April 24, it was decided to seek a legal opinion.
The NMMC general body will decide on the issue after receiving the legal opinion. The matter is likely to come up in the next general body meeting. Elected representatives remain tight-lipped and have refrained from debating the issue publicly.
