Under fire, CM keeps his cool

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan came under fire from the Opposition over his role in the controversial appointment of PJ Thomas as the central vigilance commissioner (CVC), on Tuesday.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan came under fire from the Opposition over his role in the controversial appointment of PJ Thomas as the central vigilance commissioner (CVC), on Tuesday.

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Both the houses of the legislature had to be adjourned after the Opposition stalled proceedings demanding Chavan’s resignation. These disruptions are likely to continue on Wednesday.

The chief minister has ruled out any apology or resignation in the matter. “I will speak on it at the appropriate time. It is being debated in the parliament,” Chavan said on Tuesday.

Eknath Khadse, leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, told reporters that the Opposition parties would continue to demand Chavan’s resignation.

Khadse had earlier moved an adjournment motion in the assembly to discuss the CVC issue, which was rejected by speaker Dilip Walse Patil.

Similarly, Shiv Sena leader and MLC Divakar Raote had proposed discussion in the upper house but chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh turned it down saying the issue was being debated in the parliament and was not related to the state as per legislative council laws.

Sources close to the CM said he might speak on the issue in his reply if it is raised in the debate on the governor’s speech.

The ruling alliance’s strategy on Wednesday will be to stick to its stance that the CVC’s appointment does not fall within the ambit of the state legislature.

Harshvardhan Patil, parliamentary affairs minister, said, “One has to go by the norms governing the functioning of the legislature. This issue is being debated in the parliament, it has no bearing on the state.”

“Chavan has clarified his stance to the party’s top,” said a source, adding that Chavan was ready with his answer and was not on a sticky wicket.

(Inputs by Sayli Udas Mankikar)