World · India Bureau
Fadnavis distances himself from Dia Mirza advertisement controversy
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has sought to downplay his involvement in a row over an advertisement featuring actor Dia Mirza, after the Bombay High Court criticised the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's handling of the matter.
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Fadnavis stated that the advertisement dispute was not a matter that concerned his office directly, suggesting the issue fell outside his purview as chief minister. His remarks came in response to questions about the controversy that has drawn judicial scrutiny.
The Bombay High Court had previously expressed displeasure with the BMC's role in the advertisement row, prompting the municipal corporation to face scrutiny over its decision-making process and regulatory oversight. The court's intervention highlighted concerns about how civic authorities were managing the dispute.
The controversy centred on the content and placement of an advertisement featuring the actor, which raised questions about compliance with municipal guidelines and advertising standards. The matter gained attention as it involved both a public figure and regulatory compliance issues under BMC's jurisdiction.
By characterising the issue as administrative in nature rather than a matter of political significance, Fadnavis appeared to be deflecting focus away from the chief minister's office. His distancing from the row suggests an effort to separate the executive leadership from the BMC's regulatory decisions and the subsequent judicial scrutiny.
The incident underscores the complexity of oversight responsibilities between civic bodies and state administration, particularly when controversies intersect with public figures and regulatory compliance in Mumbai.