Former Maharashtra Chief Mminister Prithviraj Chavan alleged on Monday that his successor, Devendra Fadnavis, had not asked his Housing Minister Prakash Mehta to step down despite his involvement in a serious corruption case, as the latter has the blessings of someone very senior in the BJP system.

Mr. Chavan said though Mr. Fadnavis had ordered an inquiry against Mr. Mehta, the only Gujarati minister in his cabinet, he had not asked for his resignation. “How can there be a free and fair inquiry if he remains in office? Why is the CM finding it hard to take action? [Mr Mehta] must have support at the highest level. The BJP State government stands completely exposed.”

The Congress has now asked that Mr. Mehta be dropped from the State Cabinet till the inquiry is completed, which must be conducted by a High Court Judge under the Commission of Inquiry Act. It has also demanded that all 137 files cleared by the CEO, Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA) two weeks prior to his retirement be reviewed, and all current projects of the builder in question be investigated.

Mr Mehta is being accused of colluding with chosen builders to ensure an illegal benefit of ₹500 crore to ₹800 crore.