India, July 17 -- Just as the spotlight begins to fade on social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat's 'cash gate' controversy, the Shiv Sena MLA finds himself in fresh trouble. But his party colleagues suspect there's more to it than meets the eye.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs have complained to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing Shirsat's department of stalling projects by refusing to release funds. They claim the problem is particularly acute in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, from where Shirsat has been elected and is also guardian minister. The MLAs allege that delaying projects and schemes is a ploy to turn people against BJP legislators in their respective constituencies.

In Shirsat's defence, Krishan Hegde, Shiv Sena deputy...