Former union minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday challenged the state government to institute a probe against him as demanded by BJP legislator Atul Bhatkhalkar alleging his links with the Patra Chawl redevelopment case. ‘’I am ready for inquiry. Conduct it as soon as possible in four-eight-ten days. But after the inquiry, if the allegations made are not based on reality and truth, then the state government should announce its stand against those who have leveled allegations against me,’’he said.
Pawar, who was accompanied by former housing minister Jitendra Awhad, admitted that he had held the meeting in 2006 in the Patra Chawl redevelopment matter. Pawar released the minutes of that meeting signed by former housing secretary SS Kshatriya which reads ,’’Any modification to the government resolution was a matter to be decided by the government and not by the secretary. He concluded the meeting by asking the department to submit copies of the court judgement to secretary housing. The secretary housing apprised the CM about the meeting.’’ He denied Bhatlkhalkar’s allegation that the meeting was held in the presence of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who is currently in jail, to decide the contract to be given to Guru Ashish and the government resolution was changed and thereafter Rakesh Wadhawan came into the picture.
Awhad claimed allegations made against Pawar were meant to defame him. ‘’Conduct an inquiry. But announce what action will be taken against the concerned if these allegations are baseless and irresponsible,’’ he said.
On Vedanta Foxconn controversy
Pawar said it was unfortunate the Vedanta Foxconn project will not come up in Maharashtra despite the project site being already decided. ‘’It would have been great if the project had come in Maharashtra. However, it did not happen. The project has gone to Gujarat. It is coming up in the country. I will not oppose for the sake of opposition. However, the state government should create a conducive environment for investments,’’ he noted.
Pawar claimed that the state’s image of favoured investment destination has taken a beating. ‘’However, everyone should contribute to create a favourable environment to attract investments so that the state will benefit. This should be done without taking any political stand,’’ he added.
On Dussehra rally
Commenting on a tug of war between Thackeray faction and Shinde camp on holding customary Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, Pawar reiterated that as Shinde camp has already got the MMRDA nod for holding rally on BKC grounds, the Thackeray led Shiv Sena should be allowed to hold customary rally at Shivaji Park. ‘’The Chief Minister of the state belongs to everyone and he should think about the state. He (CM Eknath Shinde) himself knows that late Balasaheb Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray often addressed the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the head of state not to let the controversy escalate. They can hold the rally in BKC now. Their problem is solved. If Uddhav Thackeray had filed the application first, then it is not appropriate to delay to clear it,’’ he opined.
