Trouble brews within cong over irrigation white paper

Under strict instructions from the party high command to avoid causing any further trouble with the Nationalist Congress Party over the irrigation white paper, because of coalition demands at the Centre, a group of disgruntled Congress ministers has vowed to counter the NCP in a discreet yet effective manner.

Under strict instructions from the party high command to avoid causing any further trouble with the Nationalist Congress Party over the irrigation white paper, because of coalition demands at the Centre, a group of disgruntled Congress ministers has vowed to counter the NCP in a discreet yet effective manner.

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Some ministers on Saturday told Hindustan Times that they would trigger a discussion on the white paper at the next cabinet meeting, since chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had not allowed them to speak when the NCP-headed water resources department presented the paper on Thursday.

Agriculture minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and water conservation minister Nitin Raut had come fully prepared to spoil the NCP’s party on Thursday evening, sources in the Congress said.

“If the CM stops us from talking [in the Cabinet], we will ensure that our supporters attack the NCP in the winter session of the legislature,” said a Congress minister, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There are many serious lapses in the white paper that need to be debated, especially with regard to Vidarbha.”