No Concrete Evidence On Whether Fadnavis Was Made CM To Return Rs 40,000 Crores Back To The Centre

A conspiracy theory is going viral across all social media platforms claiming that Devendra Fadnavis was hurriedly sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister to return Rs 40,000 crores back to the Central Government and he did exactly the same after becoming the CM.

Even on Monday, Karnataka BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde had stated that Fadnavis was sworn in as Maharashtra CM so that he was able to save 40000 crores of exchequer money that could otherwise be ‘misused’ by the coalition power of NCP-Shiv Sena-Congress.

“The Chief Minister has access to around Rs 40 thousand crores. If Congress and NCP and Shiv Sena came to power, they would have misused the 40 thousand crores. It’s all central government money and it wouldn’t have been used for development. This was all planned much before. So it was decided that there should be a natak (drama). So Fadnavis took oath as Chief Minister. Immediately, in 15 hours, he moved all the Rs 40 thousand crores to wherever it belonged. Fadnavis saved all the money. All the money was given back to the central government,” Hegde said.

@AnantkumarH says that Devendra Fadnavis took oath as Maharashtra CM despite knowing that he did not have the numbers, to save the Rs 40k Cr from the Cong-NCP-Sena alliance. @thenewsminute pic.twitter.com/JSzydkZnd5

— Theja Ram (@thejaram92) December 2, 2019

A chief minister has access to around Rs 40,000 crore from the Centre. He knew if Congress-N… – https://t.co/yopmTJIEZb via @timesofindia

— Surya (@KEYESEN2000) December 2, 2019

Somewhat surprisingly, Fadnavis took oath as the Maharashtra Chief Minister on November 21 just hours after the NCP-Shiv Sena-Congress alliance, the Maha Vikas Aghadi had announced that Uddhav Thackeray, Chief of the Shiv Sena, would be the Chief Minister.

Fact Check

Devendra Fadnavis completely rejects Hegde’s allegations, and told the media that he did not take any major policy decision.

“No such major policy decision has been taken by me as CM. All such allegations are false,” he told reporters.

#WATCH Former Maharashtra CM & BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Ananth K Hegde (BJP) remark, 'Devendra Fadnavis became CM & in 15 hours he moved Rs 40,000 crores back to Centre': No such major policy decision has been taken by me as CM. All such allegations are false. pic.twitter.com/wSEDOMGF4N

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2019

Even N.K. Sood, a former R&AW officer also pointed out that Fadnavis was the caretaker CM till November 22 which didn’t have any financial powers.

Fadnavis was caretaker CM till Nov 22 which didn't have any financial powers. Ajeet Pawar was rolled in 2 form Govt. 2 thwart Cong design to detail bullet train project. Bullet train funds transferred 2 Centre n released 5k crores 2 farmers 2 prevent misuse by new govt.

— NK Sood (@rawnksood) November 28, 2019

Sources close to Fadnavis pointed out that Hedge’s remarks were based on a WhatsApp forward. They also added that the only decision that was taken during Fadnavis’ short tenure was the release of aid for farmers, reported India Today.
According to International Business Times, Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that he will discuss the matter with the cabinet ministers of Maharashtra and then verify the claims made by Hegde about Fadnavis.

Conclusion

Until the Maharashtra cabinet makes any official statement about the 40,000 crore funds backed by evidences, there cannot be any conclusion made. Hence, the claims made by Hegde which have also been made viral on social media are not valid.

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