Behind the BMC, where was dynastic 'Khichadi' cooked?

Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections are approaching, and it is clearly visible that the alleged corruption in the khichdi distribution project during the COVID period continues to sit heavily on the shoulders of Uddhav Thackeray’s party. According to the charge sheet, it appears that workers and leaders of the UBT faction committed the sin of stealing khichdi from the plates of ordinary poor people. Whenever elections approach, UBT leaders deliver speeches about the welfare of the Marathi people. However, they fail to see the anguish of the Marathi people who are troubled by the corrupt system of the BMC—this is the real grievance. And this is the reality of Mumbai. Therefore, the question arises whether Uddhav Thackeray’s party views the BMC as a hen that lays golden eggs. Be that as it may, dynastic leadership that snatches food from the mouths of the poor can never serve Mumbai’s interests—this is equally true. During the COVID period, they failed to see the hunger of poor labourers… or rather, the khichdi meant for them was taken away by people of the Uddhav Sena. The BMC treasury was looted… and Mumbai citizens will not refrain from demanding answers in these BMC elections. This scheme was initiated when Uddhav Thackeray was Chief Minister and the Maha Vikas Aghadi was in power. The objective of the scheme was to provide free food to migrant workers stranded during the lockdown. However, claims emerged that crores of rupees worth of “khichdi” were cooked within this humanitarian scheme itself, and its political repercussions are now echoing from Matoshree to the lanes of Mumbai. After being expelled from the Congress and joining the Shinde faction, Sanjay Nirupam directly targeted the top leadership of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). “Not only Amol Kirtikar, but even Sanjay Raut is a khichdi thief,” Nirupam alleged strongly, pointing towards dynastic politics within the UBT faction. Not only that, Suraj Chavan, a close aide of Aaditya Thackeray, is also named as an accused in the list of khichdi thieves. So you may be wondering—what exactly is this khichdi scam? What exactly is the Khichdi Scam? According to the charge sheet filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), between April 2020 and July 2020, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation awarded khichdi distribution contracts to a total of 52 companies. During that period, the BMC claimed that four crore packets were distributed. Each khichdi packet was required to weigh 300 grams. However, investigations revealed that many packets weighed only between 100 and 200 grams. The BMC paid ₹33 per packet, whereas the accused got the same packet prepared for ₹22–24. Based on this, the EOW has alleged misappropriation of ₹14.57 crore in the charge sheet filed in court. How were contracts awarded despite lack of eligibility? The eligibility criteria for khichdi distribution contracts were clear— a kitchen facility and health department licenses were mandatory, and the capacity to produce at least 5,000 packets per day was required. However, Vaishnavi Kitchen, Sahyadri Refreshments, and Force One Multi Services had neither licenses nor kitchens. Despite this, they were awarded contracts. Investigations revealed that Force One Multi Services did not prepare khichdi itself but subcontracted it to Sneha Caterers. This is where underweight khichdi packets were prepared. Fake documents were created, documents were backdated after contracts were awarded, and the municipal corporation was cheated— this is the allegation made by the Economic Offences Wing. How did Suraj Chavan’s name emerge? Suraj Chavan, considered extremely close to Aaditya Thackeray, has remained one of the most discussed names in this case. The EOW and later the ED also confirmed scrutiny of his financial transactions. According to the ED investigation, ₹1.25 crore related to the khichdi contract was deposited in Suraj Chavan’s personal account. Additionally, ₹1.35 crore was paid to him as “consultancy fees” by the contractor company. As per chat records obtained by the ED, the contractor was found instructing Chavan on what dates to mention in agreements and how to prepare documents. Amol Kirtikar also under scrutiny Amol Kirtikar, the Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate from the North Mumbai Lok Sabha constituency, is a senior leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) and is considered close to the Thackeray family. He is the son of former MP Gajanan Kirtikar. He is accused of actively facilitating contracts through forged documents and cheating the BMC despite lack of eligibility. What is the connection between Sujit Patkar and Sanjay Raut? Money from the khichdi scam was transferred from the account of main accused Rajiv Salunkhe to the account of Sanjay Raut’s close aide Sujit Patkar. Subsequently, the money was transferred to the accounts of Sanjay Raut’s brother Sandip Raut and daughter Vidhita Raut. ‘Main mastermind Sanjay Raut’ — Sanjay Nirupam’s allegation Sanjay Nirupam accused Sanjay Raut of being the main mastermind behind the entire scam during a press conference. He claimed that out of a ₹6 crore contract awarded to Sahyadri Jalpan, ₹1 crore was taken as commission by Raut’s relatives. Role of the Municipal Corporation and EOW conclusion The BMC had launched the community kitchen initiative for migrant workers during the COVID period. Millions were provided food in areas such as Shastrinagar, Maharashtra Nagar, Kanjurmarg, and Kurla. However, after complaints and investigation, discrepancies were found in payments, eligibility, packet weights, and production capacity. The Economic Offences Wing presented these findings before the court. Dynastic politics issue resurfaces Suraj Chavan — close to Aaditya Thackeray Amol Kirtikar — close to Matoshree Sujit Patkar — close to Sanjay Raut Due to the involvement of these names, the issue of dynastic politics or “family partnership” within Shiv Sena has resurfaced. In Short BMC’s khichdi was cooked not only in pots, but also in the politics of dynasticism. What began as a community kitchen for the poor has now become the center of Mumbai’s political storm. But one thing is certain— Mumbai’s citizens will no longer tolerate this, because the BMC is not the fiefdom of any one family. BMC is not a family business #notafamilybusiness