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Asheesh Sharma Takes Charge as Interim BEST GM After Government Rejects UDD Appointment

The government has reaffirmed Asheesh Sharma’s interim control of Mumbai’s bus and power utility after rejecting a competing UDD appointment

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Earlier in the year, speculations were rife about Eknath Shinde being disappointed over not being given the Maharashtra CM post.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (left) with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde | Photo: ANI
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Overview

  • On August 5, the Urban Development Department issued an order for Dr Ashwini Joshi to hold additional charge of BEST GM, only for the General Administration Department to replace it hours later with an appointment for GST Commissioner Asheesh Sharma.
  • The Maharashtra government formally denied any valid UDD directive appointing Joshi and upheld Sharma’s interim tenure until a full-time general manager is named.
  • Opposition leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and the NCP denounced the episode as proof of an “ego war” and criticized the ruling alliance’s coordination failures.
  • The GM post has been without a regular head since S V R Srinivas retired on July 31, following earlier temporary assignments and a withdrawn order for Harshdeep Kamble.
  • BEST continues to grapple with financial strain, an ageing bus fleet and a 2027 electrification target that demand consistent leadership for depot upgrades and service reliability.