No end to Ajit vs Sena tussle

The tussle between deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena seems to be unending. It has once again come out in the open following social justice minister and Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat's objection to the diversion of ₹410 crore earmarked for his department for disbursement to beneficiaries under the Ladki Bahin scheme.

- SHAILESH GAIKWAD

An irked Pawar on Sunday lobbed the ball in chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's court, saying it was a cabinet decision and that the latter would speak on the issue.

For the past few weeks, Sena ministers have been complaining in private against the finance department led by Ajit Pawar, saying their files are getting stuck or a lot of queries are raised before clearing them.

Finance officials say this is normal although they are compelled to be stricter about spending considering the state's cash crunch.

It's not just Sena ministers or MLAs, even deputy CM Shinde himself is not very happy with the finance department.