BJP minister Atul Save tells ‘unhappy’ Sena MLA to leave alliance

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: BJP minister Atul Save, in a rare outburst on Monday, told a Shiv Sena MLA he was free to leave the alliance, referencing Hadgaon Sena MLA Baburao Kadam's public frustration over the minister's alleged role in not clearing proposals under the ‘Vasantrao Naik Vasti/Tanda Sudhar' scheme of govt.
"I don't care much. We have 237 MLAs with us for five years. We are working in an alliance. Those who wish to leave the alliance can do so," Save, who is the guardian minister of Nanded, told reporters after chairing the meeting of the district development and planning council (DPDC) for Nanded.
Hours before the meeting, Kadam said he was planning to write a letter to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to raise the issue of Save not clearing the pending proposals. Save, who holds the portfolio of OBC welfare, clarified that the proposals in question were routed through the district collectors. "I am not supposed to take stock of the status of such proposals sent by all 288 MLAs from Maharashtra to district collectors," Save said.
Amid sharp remarks by Save, who is otherwise known for his calm and composed nature, senior Sena leader and party MLC Hemant Patil tried to downplay the issue. "Save is a senior leader. He only tried to clear the confusion," Patil told media persons.
On the other hand, first-time MLA Kadam on Tuesday said who gave Save the right to decide who would leave or stay in the alliance. "Mahayuti gained huge success in the assembly election because of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde. Has Save forgotten this?" he asked while speaking with reporters.
Reiterating that Save did not clear his proposal, Kadam said he was not a political novice. "Even though I am a first-time MLA, I have served in zilla parishad for 25 years. I was also its chairman. I know how to table the proposal," he added.