Nagpur: Union Heavy Industries Minister
Vilasrao Deshmukh on Wednesday dismissed the reports of a CD showing horse dealer Hasan Ali discussing appointment of Mumbai Police Commissioner two years ago with then Home Minister R R Patil
and others.
"Local BJP MLA Davendra Phadanvis, who brought the CD
issue on the floor of the State Legislature yesterday, should
have verified all the facts," Deshmukh, former Maharashtra
Chief Minister, told reporters here.
"A senior legislator like Phadanvis should have
satisfied himself with the given facts. It is for us to
decide if any accused person or criminal (Hasan Ali) makes any
irresponsible statement. What could be the motive behind
making such a statement is equally important," Deshmukh said.
Recalling the incident, Deshmukh said," as Home Minister
R R Patil had brought the proposal before me (as Chief
Minister) and we had approved the appointment. There was
nothing wrong in that," he added.
On lukewarm response to Congress membership drive in
Maharashtra, Deshmukh said only Chief Minister or State
Congress chief cannot be held solely responsible for it.
He, however, added that Maharashtra had only 18 lakh
members enrolled while non-Congress ruled states of Punjab and
Tamil Nadu had 40 lakh and 75 lakh members registered with the
party respectively.
On taxes imposed on IPL matches by Maharashtra
Government, Deshmukh said we should look how other states are
treating it since IPL is being played across the country.
Reiterating his opposition to separate Vidarbha, Deshmukh said
decision of party high command will be final on the issue.
PTI
