By: Express News Service Mumbai | June 29, 2025 23:51 IST 2 min readMaharashtra AssemblyThanks to the Gadchiroli mining boom in the making, Maharashtra’s mining department has become one of the most crucial departments as of now. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is directly controlling the Gadchiroli mining through a specially formed authority, even as officials in the department are witnessing unusual attention and even pressure. An official said, everything is moving at lightspeed and watched carefully as if through a microscopic lens.Demand For Swanky SpaceThe 15-storeyed swanky building at Bawla compound in central Mumbai is suddenly in high demand among senior police officers and many, who are currently housed in old structures, want to move there. While so far the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad has moved there and been allotted the top floors, many are vying to move there. Recently, a cabin earmarked for a DCP who was almost ready to move in, had to drop his plans when it was eventually taken over by another senior officer looking for an office.Ruling Out BJP TiesThe Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) led by Prakask Ambedkar has decided to contest the local bodies elections, including BMC, wholeheartedly. While the VBA has kept its options open for a pre-poll alliance with like-minded parties, it has indicated that the BJP will be its key political rival. An insider in VBA indicated, “At this stage, we are sure that there is no question of any alliance with the BJP. We will see how things evolve with other like minded parties.” But the VBA has decided to focus on municipal corporation polls across Mumbai and several other districts.© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Mumbai Confidential