Shiv Sena Hits Back At Fadnavis Over TET Scam

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has strongly refuted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' allegations that the biggest Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) scam in Maharashtra took place during Uddhav Thackeray's tenure.

Shiv Sena leader Sushma Andhare asserted that it was the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government that uncovered the scam in 2021 and ensured an independent investigation without shielding anyone.

Andhare accused the BJP of attempting to rewrite the facts, stating that the Thackeray government had given investigating agencies complete freedom to act.

She claimed that around 3,500 candidates who had allegedly secured jobs through fraudulent means were blacklisted, including the daughter of then minister Abdul Sattar.

Andhare further alleged that the roots of the scam lay in decisions taken during the first Fadnavis government between 2014 and 2019, when Vinod Tawde was the Education Minister.

The contract for educational and university examination coordination had been awarded to G.A. Software Technology Pvt. Ltd., whose director Pritish Deshmukh was later arrested in connection with the paper leak investigations.

Andhare referred to the MHADA recruitment examination scheduled for December 12, 2021, where police received intelligence about a question paper leak a day before the exam and raided multiple locations, leading to the arrest of Pritish Deshmukh.

Deshmukh's interrogation led investigators to Abhishek Savrikar, then Technical Adviser in the Education Department, who was arrested and charge-sheeted in the TET scam.

Andhare alleged that after securing bail, Savrikar was inducted into the BJP by senior leader Ravindra Chavan.

She further claimed that Savrikar's name has now resurfaced in the alleged Soil and Water Conservation Department recruitment irregularities, with an FIR registered against him in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The Sena (UBT) spokesperson also targeted the present ruling alliance over subsequent developments in the case, alleging that IAS officer Sushil Khodwekar, who had been arrested in the TET scam, was reinstated during the tenure of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

She also claimed that IPS officer Bhagyashri Navtake, who played a key role in exposing the scam, was transferred to a punishment posting after the BJP-Shiv Sena government assumed office.

The TET scam has become a major point of contention between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the BJP, with both parties trading allegations and counter-allegations.

The scam has significant implications for the education sector in Maharashtra, with thousands of candidates affected by the alleged irregularities.

The case is a major test for the ruling alliance, which has been accused of attempting to cover up the scam and shield those involved.

The developments in the case are being closely watched by the people of Maharashtra, who are demanding justice and accountability for those responsible for the scam.