Raut denies resigning as minister
Water conservation minister Nitin Raut denied, on Monday, any differences between chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and himself, stating that reports about his resignation were rumours. Mr Raut left for New Delhi after attending the morning session of the House, which sparked speculation that he had left to meet senior Congress leaders. However, sources have stated that Mr Raut was using pressure tactics to get his work done by the chief minister.
The issue of his resignation was raised in both Houses of the State Legislature by the opposition. In Assembly, both Eknath Khadse, Leader of the Opposition, and the Shiv Sena leader and Member of Legislative Council, raised the matter in Council. Both leaders have asked the government to clarify.
In a statement to The Asian Age, Mr Raut said, “It is a baseless accusation that I have resigned from my post. It is purely a rumour. I had a meeting with the chief minister yesterday and we do not have any differences between us.”
On Saturday evening, Mr Raut reportedly tendered his resignation from his post, after a falling out with the chief minister over an issue related to Nagpur. According to unnamed sources, Mr Raut wanted to regularise illegally erected structures on Empress Mill land at Bezan Bagh, which the CM is not in favour of.
A senior minister stated, “The matter is sub judice, and the court has asked the government to make a statement. Chief secretary Jayantkumar Banthia has made some adverse remarks on the matter, hence the chief minister is also not keen to give a response on the matter.” According to another senior minister, Mr Raut is pressuring the CM in order to get his work done. He added that Mr Raut’s resignation is pending with the CM.
Mr Raut clarified that his New Delhi visit was in response to Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s summons to a meeting on the Bodh Gaya issue, which he attended.
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