Mumbai: Amid a row over the Prime Minister's proposed televised interaction with students on Teachers Day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday said his government is cooperating with the logistics keeping "delicate" Centre-State relations in mind but there is "severe resentment" among teachers and parents.
"There is severe resentment about this among teachers and parents, but considering the delicate Centre-State relations, my government is cooperating with the logistics. However, the tone of the circular is not good and we will take it up at an appropriate forum," he told reporters.
"The entire official machinery is being used as a propaganda machine for one individual," he said.
Chavan said he was not against children being asked to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi but the manner in which it is being enforced.
Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani had yesterday said participation of students in the event was "voluntary" and deprecated attempts to "politicise" the issue.
The Chief Minister described the Modi government as "a failure" during its 100 days in office and took a dig at the Prime Minister over his "Minimum Government-Maximum Governance" slogan.
"Minimum government is complete control of the Prime Minister's office (over the government). Even the Home Minister is not allowed to appoint an aide of his choice. Ministers are being spied upon. Stories about this are deliberately leaked and denials are issued," he said.
Chavan also blamed the "lack of leadership" at the Centre for the power shortage in Maharashtra.
"I have been warning against the crisis since the Prime Minister's visit to Solapur last month. However, through a pre-planned conspiracy I was not allowed to speak at the function," Chavan, who was booed at the event with cries of "Modi! Modi!" and had to stop his speech midway, said.
He said "humiliating" Chief Ministers from rival parties is a dangerous trend which will harm Centre-State relations.
Chavan said the state was getting only 60 percent of the coal earmarked for it. Of the state's requirement of 10000 mw-13000 mw, it is facing a shortage of 3000 mw. Several power plants have shut down due to shortage of coal, gas and water.
"The Centre should not try to plunge Maharashtra into darkness," he said.
Chavan said he had met Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP chief Sharad Pawar to discuss the situation.
"I also told him that Prime Minister should convene a meeting of all Chief Ministers to find a solution to the crisis," he said.
He also said none of the promises made during the Lok Sabha election campaign, including checking price rise and bringing back black money stashed abroad, has been fulfilled.
