Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has said it was wrong of people to go to parties like the Shiv Sena to seek permission to screen a film or hold cricket matches.
Chavan was referring to Union Agriculture Minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s meeting with Sena chief Bal Thackeray before the
IPL started to get an assurance from the Sena that the matches in Mumbai pass peacefully.
This was soon after the Sena, protesting the attacks on Indians in Australia, said it would not allow Australian cricketers to play in the IPL.
“Yes, it is wrong,” Chavan said in an interview to Vir Sanghvi for CNBC-TV18’s programme Off the Record with Vir Sanghvi.
Sanghvi had asked Chavan if he approved of people going to the likes of Thackeray for permission for holding matches or screening movies.
“Sharad Pawarji is a senior leader. He is in the Union
government and they say he went to discuss the IPL matches and issues like that….Yes, there were a lot of eyebrows raised and asking why did he go?” Chavan said.
Chavan, in reply to another query, also said the Sena was losing ground and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will probably be the main opposition.
Chavan also talked about the trouble he was having with alliance partner NCP in handling the Mumbai police. “There have been political problems,” he said. “I don’t deny that…”
The CM also admitted that there was “politicisation” of the police force. “We have to select people with integrity…,” he said.
“Looking at the situation during 26/11, we have been cautious. We have to put a stop to all this and see that proper people handle jobs of equal importance and men of integrity and people with strength and courage and the determination to fight, take charge.”
On factionalism in the Mumbai police, Chavan said there have been differences but they have been sorted out.
Tune in to Off the Record with Vir Sanghvi on CNBC-TV18 at 8 pm on Saturday and 9 pm on Sunday.