Opposition may get ground for attack
The Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society scam could prove ideal for the Opposition whether Mr Ashok Chavan stays or goes as chief minister.
While his continuance will keep the issue alive and thus provide fuel to the Opposition, his removal will be seen as a candid admission of guilt and a delaying tactic would make both the government and the party passive.
Mr Chavan, a politically lightweight, became the chief minister with the “blessing” of some Central leaders. They made him the top person but he has not been able to deliver effectively despite the Centre’s support in the last 18-20 months.
This is an ideal situation for the Opposition Shiv Sena, BJP and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in Maharashtra which has brought the misuse of power issue back to the fore.
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has already demanded dismissal of the Ashok Chavan government and action against the ministers concerned and the government officials. The Shiv Sena would raise this issue in the Winter Session of Parliament and the state legislature in the coming days.
The Opposition will certainly put Mr Chavan in the dock not for allegedly favouring his relatives and acolytes in getting the flats in the Adarsh Housing Society, but insulting the sacrifice by the Kargil war heroes.
The Congress had launched a campaign against the Vajpayee government on the alleged coffin scam inside and outside Parliament, now it will have to face the Opposition’s music.
At the national level, the main Opposition BJP would take up the issue to project the Congress as having no affection or sympathy for martyrs of the Kargil war.
Mr Chavan has already lost his image among intellectuals in Maharashtra after managing favourable write-ups in favour of him in the media in the middle of the Assembly elections last year. The matter, which is seen as “paid news”, is before the Election Commission.
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