Chavan steps in to resolve Cong-NCP differences

Notwithstanding the recent frictions within the ruling Congress-NCP coalition, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan today said he will ensure that it works smoothly.

Notwithstanding the recent frictions within the ruling Congress-NCP coalition, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, on Thursday, said he will ensure that it works smoothly.

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Talking to reporters at the Congress office in Mumbai, Chavan admitted that there were grievances on both sides. "There are grievances and there is no need to make a public spectacle out of it. We are both separate political parties in a pre-poll alliance and are sharing power. It is our job to run the state properly," he said.

Chavan said that on Wednesday, he convened a separate meeting of senior leaders and ministers from both the parties to thrash out differences after the weekly cabinet meeting.

"I plan to call such meetings frequently to understand problems and resolve them for better functioning of the government. The next one would be after the Monsoon Session of the state legislature which begins from July 12," he added.

Wednesday's cabinet meeting saw NCP ministers lashing out at the Congress over the party spokesperson Hussain Dalwai's reported remarks that NCP instigated the Sangli-Miraj riots last year to win elections. Similarly, Congress ministers charged the NCP ministers of speaking against decisions taken collectively in the cabinet like the "Best Five" scheme for admissions to first year junior college.