NCP leader Mete lashes out at Bhujbal over PAC report

Member of Legislative Council and NCP leader Vinayak Mete today lashed out at his senior party colleague and state PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal after the latter called him a traitor over the report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The state PAC has recommended a probe into the construction of the new Maharashtra Sadan building in Delhi. Mete is one of the members of the committee.
"He called me a traitor. However, there are twenty-five members. I would like to ask him, was the criticism aimed only at me or the other 24 members too?" Mete said here.
PAC's report alleging irregularities in construction of new Maharashtra Sadan building, Andheri RTO office and High Mount Guest House was tabled before the state Assembly yesterday by the committee chairman and BJP MLA Girish Bapat.

Mete further alleged that Bhujbal was against the reservations for the Maratha community.
"The private developer will make profits of over Rs 5,000-7,000 crore in the Maharashtra Sadan building. This is a blatant case of corruption. It should not be covered up. He (Bhujbal) even tried to pressurise PAC members," Mete said.

"An SIT should investigate the matter. He is alleging that I am maligning him. However, he is maligning the party and the state," Mete added.
He also said that as Bhujbal had criticised the PAC as a whole, "we would see if we can a move breach of privilege motion against him".

Mete, a Maratha leader who has been demanding reservations for the politically dominant community, said decision of the state government on the issue may be announced early next week.