BJP finds U-turn shocking,Sena says NCP clueless on what city needs Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has come under fire from political parties after his partys volte-face on Pune metro and allowing construction in biodiversity parks of 23 merged villages. It has once again come to light that Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and his deputy dont see eye-to-eye on key issues. The Chief Minister had,on Monday at a Congress rally in the city announced the long-pending decisions on Punes metro and construction in BDP area. Chavan said his government had taken an in-principle decision to allow four per cent construction in BDP area and was working on a financial package for Pune metro. Ajit Pawar on Saturday termed the CMs announcement hasty. Clearly hinting that he was not taken into confidence,he said all stakeholders should have been consulted on such major decisions. Pawars remarks have surprised many as a major section of the NCP city unit had consistently demanded that four per cent construction should be allowed in the biodiversity park area. Except for NCP city president Vandana Chavan,hardly any prominent party leader had opposed construction on the hills. In fact,NCP spokesperson Ankush Kakade had welcomed the move a day after Chavan made the announcement. BJP city president Vikas Matkari said Pawars opposition to the move was surprising. At least in four meetings,including a city MLAs meeting,where both of us were present,he had supported four per cent construction. Even on Punes metro,he was in agreement with the elevated metro plan. His U-turn is surprising. Pawar,however,said his party had never made its stand official. Shyam Deshpande,Shiv Sena leader in PMC,said Pawar was showing his poor foresight. It is clear that both Pawar and NCP have no foresight,no imagination and understanding of Punes problems. When the Sena made a presentation on Punes metro a few years ago in the general body meeting,the NCP went with those who favoured an elevated metro. We had favoured an underground metro then,and had drawn support from the other parties. The NCP is now waking up to the reality,which speaks about its understanding of Punes problems. Pawar said it was a mistake to support elevated metro. Underground metro is the best for Punes growing traffic problems. Civic activist Vijay Kumbhar said the CM and deputy CM were playing politics with Punes development. If one of them says yes,the other says no. They are allowing their egos to come into play,which is harming Punes interest. If this situation prevails,Pune metro will never happen.
