Top babus, netas recommended names for Adarsh hsg society membership: K Gidwani

Several top politicians and bureaucrats had recommended various people for membership in Adarsh society, former MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani said on Wednesday.

Several top politicians and bureaucrats had recommended various people for membership in Adarsh society, former MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani said on Wednesday.

HT Image

Gidwani said that Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, forest minister Patangrao Kadam and MLC Subhash Chavan suggested that some of their acquaintances be given flats in the society.

Also, former municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak, former excise commissioner CS Sangitrao and former FDA commissioner Uttam Khobragade wanted their children accommodated in the society.

Gidwani brought several civilian members into the society. He has given the two-member commission probing the Adarsh scam the list of names he had recommended for membership.

“Shivaji Kale was recommended to me by Ajit Pawar, who had the irrigation portfolio then. Pawar also suggested KD Begade for membership,” said Gidwani.

Sushil Kumar Shinde, an MP at that time, recommended Major NW Khankhoje, he said. Patangrao Kadam, who was a minister in the state government then, recommended BY Sawant. Both Kiran Bhadange and Amol Karbhari were suggested by MLC Subhash Chavan.

CS Sangitrao, who was state excise commissioner, suggested his son Ranjit C Sangitrao for membership. “[Former BEST general manager] Uttam Khobragade, recommended his daughter Devyani Khobragade for membership. Similarly, ex-civic chief Jairaj Phatak, [who was secretary of the education department then], recommended his son Kanishka be given a flat in the society.

Phatak had earlier admitted in his deposition that he knew his son was a member of the society when he cleared the proposal to increase the tower’s height.

Gidwani, however, refuted allegations that he was a promoter of the society.