Even though his stint as the chief minister so far has been chequered, Prithviraj Chavan claims that he is unfazed by criticism.
Putting up a show of confidence while addressing the press at his residence Varsha yesterday, the CM took on his detractors and insisted that all was well in the Democratic Front.
Alluding to his deputy and NCP strongman Ajit Pawar’s hasty decisions, which have often earned him flak, he said, “It is for all to see what happened when some people in the government took quick decisions based on incomplete information.”
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Chavan reiterated his strict ‘no personal favours’ policy. “I always believed in the rule of law, and take decisions according to the norms, so that they are not challenged in the courts of law. I always prefer decisions that are in the interest of the public,” said Chavan, who has often been in the eye of the storm over his slow decision-making. “There have been instances when particular files have moved up swiftly thanks to personal persuasion. But I avoided approving such projects. At the beginning, I was a novice to politics in the state. I lacked ground level information. But my learning period is over. Soon you will witness quick decision-making from me,” he said.
On his possible return to Delhi, Chavan said his mission here is incomplete. He also rubbished claims of problems between the Congress and NCP. “We will fight the next general elections jointly,” he said confidently. These remarks come in the wake of reports about NCP leaders demanding that Ajit Pawar be made the next chief minister. Chavan however, dodged questions on these reports, saying, “Our coordination is excellent.”
Chavan said his government was working round the clock to implement the e-governance system, which in his opinion will usher in the highest level of transparency at the government level. He added, “People in the electronic media will be able to use it to obtain breaking news.”
Chavan also said that the white paper on the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), demanded by the NCP is ready and will be made public soon. u00a0