Builders’ lobby is first test for Chavan
Maharashtra chief minister Prithivraj Chavan, whose first priority is transparency in governance, will face the first test as how to tackle the all-powerful builders lobby which has huge influence on mantralaya (secretariat) in Mumbai.
Mr Chavan, who has been camping in New Delhi to get cleared names of his Cabinet team from the Congress high command, is said to be worried about the growing influence of the builders lobby.
The builders lobby is so powerful that it not only checks the administration, but political parties and legislators as well. This has become clear from the speed with which urbanisation is taking place, land prices are going up and up and conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural in the state for the last 15 years.
Mr Chavan, who has not been able to create his political constituency in the state despite being in active politics for the last two decades, is completely depending on the high command for support.
He is said to be wanting to create his own team in the next three years in the state which has been lacking a vision and determination.
On Saturday, Mr Chavan said he will have to take “tough decisions” while finalising his council of ministers to meet the “high expectations” of the people and leaders in the national capital.
He said the names of the council of ministers from the Congress quota would be finalised in a day or two.
He held discussions with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and senior party leader Pranab Mukherjee here and is said to have discussed the ministry formation exercise. “Care will be taken to maintain regional and social balance while finalising the council of ministers,” Mr Chavan told reporters here.
Asked whether “tainted” ministers would find place in the council of ministers, the chief minister merely said people at large and leaders in Delhi have certain expectations from the state government and “we will make efforts to meet those expectations”. “At times we will have to take tough decisions,” he said.
Mr Chavan met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later.
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