No explanation sought from Cong on funds row: Chavan

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan today said the Congress leadership has not sought any clarification from him on the issue of alleged collection of funds for party president Sonia Gandhi's public rally near Nagpur.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Saturday said the Congress leadership has not sought any clarification from him on the issue of alleged collection of funds for party president Sonia Gandhi's public rally near Nagpur.

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"I have not been asked anything about the issue so far," he said, when asked if the Congress high command had discussed or asked him about the alleged collection of funds from Congress ministers in Maharashtra for Gandhi's rally at Sewagram, 80 km from Nagpur, on Thursday.

To a query, Chavan said, "Several meetings are going on (in Delhi).

Party Pradesh Returning Officers from several states were called to discuss organisational matters. They included representatives from Maharashtra also.

These are routine meetings." Asked if the funds row was discussed in the Delhi meetings, the Congress leader said he was not aware of it. The controversy arose when news channels on Thursday aired a footage showing state Congress chief Manikrao Thakre discussing with ex-minister Satish Chaturvedi fund collection from Congress ministers, including Chavan, for the rally.

Chavan had earlier said all the money raised for the meet has been accounted for.