Cannot do anything about NCP graft cases: Chavan

While addressing the media at the state guest house Sahyadri on Thursday, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said that on the issues that have supposedly dogged many NCP ministers — the corruption cases they are facing — the state cannot do anything about them because they have either been reported by the media, or the courts are handling them.

While addressing the media at the state guest house Sahyadri on Thursday, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said that on the issues that have supposedly dogged many NCP ministers — the corruption cases they are facing — the state cannot do anything about them because they have either been reported by the media, or the courts are handling them. “There is no question of me being against anyone,” he said.

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When asked whether his call for a white paper on irrigation costs was one of the reasons for the NCP taking guard against the Congress, Chavan maintained that reviewing irrigation projects is necessary, especially when the state needs to complete water resources works worth Rs80,000 crore. “The white paper would be a communication between the government and the people who want to know the government’s achievement in this sector,” he said.

Chavan also denied that the NCP has any complaint against his working style. “I met Praful Patel [senior NCP leader] recently, but he did not speak to me about it. Let them [NCP] tell me about their specific grievances.”

On the disgruntled leaders in the Congress party who had written a letter to him on subjects related to development works, Chavan said, “It is up to the legislators to select these subjects. But I feel that the people at large should benefit” He was replying to a question whether he was still not in favour of acting on personal requests of leaders.

Chavan has been saying that his main focus is on policy matters, and he does not care much about works that benefit individuals, since they will come under the scrutiny of proponents of right to information.