Prithviraj Chavan had to cancel the pre-session cabinet meetings as just six ministers were present
Prithviraj Chavan had to cancel the pre-session cabinet meetings as just six ministers were present
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A pre-legislative session cabinet meeting, scheduled by CM Prithviraj Chavan, was cancelled due to no show of ministers, a day before the start of the winter session of the State legislature in Nagpur. Many ruling party ministers' asserted that a busy campaigning schedule for the forthcoming elections to over 150 civic bodies was the key reason that they were not in attendance.
Opposition parties, however, alluded that the state government's indecisiveness on various fronts, was the reason they decided to boycott the customary tea party.
When just six members turned up, CM decided to cancel the meeting and rescheduled it to this morning. But, sources from the Democratic Front government said that out of 37 members of the state cabinet, only eight had promised their presence for the meeting that was scheduled at the CM's official residence Ramgiri in the second capital of Maharasthra.
The pre-session Cabinet meetings are held to discuss and formulate strategies to face the Opposition during the winter session.
During such meetings CM shares his views on various current issues and major announcements to be made. This is done in view of the questions and debates that will be raised by the ruling as well as Opposition party members.
Later, during his media interaction, CM faced a barrage of questions on reports related to the alleged Rs 2.45 crore donation made by corporate major Indiabulls to a foundation headed by PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. "I am yet to seek information on it," CM told media persons.
However, reacting to the report, Opposition parties have decided to raise the issue in the legislature.
"I have got information that four members of the state cabinet including Bhujbal have accepted huge donations from private sector companies and I will reveal those names in the state assembly," said Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse.
Meanwhile, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar has demanded the resignation of Bhujbal from the state cabinet. "Bhujbal's mentor Sharad Pawar in the 80s had demanded the then CM A R Antulay's resignation on similar grounds when it was revealed that a trust headed by Antulay was accepting huge donations from the private sector," said Nandgaonkar who had defeated Bhujbal in the 1995 Assembly elections from Mazgaon constituency.
Bhujbal, on his part clarified that the donation given to the foundation was for the Nashik Festival where transparency was always maintained.
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