A blame game involving two former Maharashtra Chief Ministers erupted over Adarsh housing scam today with Mr Ashok Chavan saying the prime land was sanctioned by Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh, now Union Minister, and he had no role to play.
In an affidavit before the Commission probing alleged irregularities in the controversial Adarsh housing project, Mr Chavan also said he was not involved with any recommendation to include civilian members in the building meant for armed forces personnel in upscale Colaba area.
Mr Chavan, who had to step down as Chief Minister last year following the Adarsh controversy, was Revenue Minister from 1999-2003 when land was allotted to the Housing Society.
Mr Deshmukh was the Chief Minister during that period.
Without naming Mr Deshmukh, Mr Chavan said that for allotment of plot for value exceeding Rs 25 lakh and plots situated in Pune, Mumbai and suburbs, the decision is taken by the Chief Minister.
Mr Deshmukh, who filed an affidavit before the Adarsh Commission on June 17, had put the onus on the Revenue department and the Mumbai Collector saying that while allotting land to Adarsh Society, he had acted on the proposal sent by them.
Countering the allegations, Mr Chavan in his eight-page affidavit said, “There was no question of my suggestion that civilian members be included in the Society and any suggestion that this was discussed with me or that I had suggested or directed or decided on the same is false and denied.”
Reacting to Mr Chavan's affidavit, Mr Deshmukh said, “Now the judicial commission will decide who was right and who was wrong and other things. Everybody has the liberty to put forward his view.”
Mr Deshmukh had earlier alleged that Mr Chavan as the then Revenue Minister asked the housing society to change the bye-laws to include civilians in it.
Referring to the meeting with his department when he was Revenue Minister, Mr Chavan said, “In the meeting I have asked the department only to look into the issue relating to the allotment of the land and call for the required information in the respect thereof. No decision was taken at the meeting.”
Mr Chavan has been named among the 14 accused by CBI in its probe into the scam. He is accused of recommending 40 per cent allotment of flats in Adarsh Society, originally meant for Kargil war widows, to civilians. Mr Chavan is also facing allegations that his relatives got flats in the society.