CM Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday denied that lack of coordination in Maharashtra was the bone of contention between the Congress and the NCP.
He said that the NCP had certain issues with the Centre and those have been resolved. “The so-called crisis in Maharashtra was a media created issue, and not reality. There is perfect coordination in the ruling alliance. In order to avoid any misunderstandings in the future, the NCP and the Congress will have more coordination committee meetings,” Mr Chavan said. He informed that from now onwards, a coordination meeting would be held at least once a month.
The CM further said that he has spoken to NCP leader Praful Patel at length on the issue. “I also spoke to DCM Ajit Pawar and other ministers about all the issues. I am in touch with MLAs, but I do not know of any issue, which caused any discord,” he said.
Mr Chavan also dismissed talks of the government going slow on cases against political leaders, following the crisis in the Congress party. The CM said that the government would not interfere in court cases. “There is little that the government can do in this,” he said.
When asked if the NCP is unhappy with him after he announced that a white paper would be issued on the irrigation development in the state, Mr Chavan said, “My only intention is to bring out the facts… There is no question of me going after anybody.” The NCP has been holding the irrigation department since 1999.
Reacting to the call given by the MNS, appealing to people against pay toll tax in the state, Mr Chavan said, “There are some issues related to toll tax collection, which need to be improved and we will address them soon. But if anybody takes law and order in their hands, we will deal with them strictly.”