Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam.
Credit: PTI photo
Mumbai: Amid allegations of sand smuggling cases, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home and Revenue, Yogesh Kadam of Shiv Sena, said that he would step down immediately if Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab substantiated the charges with evidence.
Kadam, an MLA from Dapoli in the coastal region, is the son of a former minister and ex-leader of the opposition in the Legislative Assembly.
After the Shiv Sena uprising, the Kadam father-son duo had changed sides, leaving Uddhav Thackeray and joining Eknath Shinde, who is currently the deputy chief minister.
Parab is a close aide of Thackeray.
“The allegations made by Parab are 100 per cent politically motivated… However, if he fails to submit the proof, he should tender a public apology,” Kadam told reporters in the Vidhan Bhavan complex on Thursday.
Kadam said that he was considering a breach of privilege motion against Parab, and maintained he has taken strict action against the sand mafia since assuming charge of his ministry.
Earlier this week, Parab, while speaking in the Legislative Council, alleged interference by the Minister of State for Revenue, without naming him, in sand smuggling cases.
“If Parab can produce any proof that I stopped action in a sand smuggling case or asked officials not to act, I won’t wait for his demand, I will resign on my own,” the minister said, adding that Parab has not mentioned which district or village he was supposed to have intervened in.
“Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has already asked Parab to furnish evidence. If he doesn’t present it before the end of the current session, I will raise the matter with the council Chairperson,” said Parab.