The ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has adopted "offense and not defense"policy to counter allegations levelled against its leaders for their alleged involvement in the multi crore irrigation scam. NCP on Thursday released two documents to clarify irrigation project wise details and refute opposition's allegations.
Home Minister RR Patil asked opposition leaders to tender apology for running misinformation campaign against NCP leaders especially against deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in connection with multi crore irrigation scam. He declared that the party was also exploring legal option against opposition leaders for making baseless allegations.
NCP's documents are party's attempt to counter black paper released by BJP challenging the government's white paper which has given a clean chit to deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.
Further, Patil for the first time termed the Economic Survey's observation that there was a rise of 0.1% in irrigation potential during 1999 and 2009 as a printing mistake. He however, said the actual increase was 5.17%. He also countered opposition's claim of scam of Rs 70,000 crore when the actual expenditure so far increased has been worth Rs 42,435 crore comprising Rs 30,500 crore on construction of irrigation projects, Rs 6,300 crore on establishment and Rs 5,900 crore on rehabilitation.
Patil, who was accompanied by the state NCP chief Madhukar Pichad, said NCP leaders and members would reach out across the state exposing opposition for making misguided allegations. He infact congratulated Ajit Pawar, who was water resources minister during 1999 and 2009, for taking bold decision to tap Maharashtra's share of 596 TMC water of Krishna water and also for launching various projects in the under developoed Vidarbha and Marathwada region.
Pichad has strongly rejected allegations made by opposition in black paper which was opposition's reply for the government's white paper.
Patil rejected opposition's demand for the establishment of special investigation team to probe into the multi crore irrigation scam.
However, even before NCP released its documents BJP leaked them to the press and media. Leaders of opposition Eknath Khadse and Vinod Tawde claimed NCP's documents were silent on the scathing observations made by Wadnere and Mendegiri committee which had inquired into the implementation of various irrigation projects.
Meanwhile, the irrigation scam rocked the proceedings of both the houses of state legislature. In the assembly, Khadse, who was joined by BJP members, pressed for SIT inquiry while the ruling NCP members challenged it. Both the treasury and opposition members resorted to slogan shouting and after one adjournment the presiding officer Nawab Malik asked BJP in particular to immediately start debate on irrigation scam. However, the party members continued slogan shouting and amidt din today's business was completed.
