CM trying to save own skin, claims Rane

CM trying to save own skin, claims Rane
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

Mumbai, APRIL 3: Opposition leader Narayan Rane today alleged that Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was not appointing an inquiry panel to probe charges against minister of state for public health Eknath Gaikwad to save his own skin.

``It is obvious that Deshmukh will have to face a similar inquiry if he orders one to probe allegations against Gaikwad,'' Rane said at a press conference here.

Instead of probing the role played by the minister in `defrauding the youths under the pretest of giving jobs, Deshmukh had directed Chief Secretary to conduct an inquiry against Krishna Bhalerao, an aide of the minister, who had filed affidavit against Gaikwad', he pointed out.

Reminding Deshmukh of his promise to appoint a committee under the opposition leader to probe allegations against him, Rane sought to know when the panel would be appointed.

``When is he going to appoint the committee under the Commission of Inquiries Act as announced in the Assembly on March 31,'' he asked.

The opposition leader raised 15 questions in connection with the sale of Jawahar cooperative spinning mill in Deshmukh's hometown, Latur, seeking clarification from the CM

``Why did the cooperation department fail to negotiate with the bidder who had offered Rs 3.97 crore in response to first tender floated in March 1997? Instead, the mill was sold to a bidder for Rs 3.11 crore, that, too, after third tender,'' Rane alleged.

He also objected to why the government resorted to sale of the spinning mill through negotiations when it had already floated tenders for the purpose.

He has also raised queries regarding the business relations between Balaji Salasar, who bought the mill and CM's brother, Dilip Deshmukh.