Chavan refuses to resign over CVC issue

Chavan refuses to resign over CVC issue

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Sunday rejected the opposition demand for his resignation on the CVC issue, saying the appointment was not related to the state government.

"There is no question of resigning," he told a press conference on the eve of the Budget session of the state legislature.

Chavan said, "What the Prime Minister said over the issue has been clarified elaborately and the Central government will reply on the matter in the Lok Sabha".

"If the opposition raises the issue in the state legislature, I will reply to their charges. There is no question of resigning."

The opposition in the state has demanded Chavan's resignation and sought his apology for misleading

people on the issue of appointment of the Central Vigilance Commissioner after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh indicated in the Rajya Sabha last week that Chavan was responsible for shortlisting P J Thomas for the post.

Chavan rejected the opposition charge of attempting to scuttle the Adarsh Housing scam probe by supporting his predecessor Ashok Chavan in Nanded recently.

"A judicial enquiry as well as a CBI probe in the case was on. It is wrong to label anybody guilty till proven so," he said.

To a question safety of Jaitapur Nuclear power project in the wake of explosion at Japan's nuclear plant following earthquake and tsunami, Chavan said the Department of Atomic Energy would respond to the safety issues.

"Konkan lies in Seismic Zone-III. All decisions are taken on the basis of safety," he added.

When asked about his government's plans to ban Sanathan Sanstha, allegedly involved in bomb blasts in Thane and Goa, Chavan said, "If any organisation breaks laws, firm action will be taken."