Ashok Chavan is the most insensitive CM, says Eknath Khadse

Eknath Khadse, leader of the opposition in the state legislative assembly, reckons it is a formidable challenge to steer the demoralised BJP-Shiv Sena towards waging a battle against the ruling Congress-NCP at the ongoing budget session. His calm, friendly demeanour is deceptive. He has pledged to make an impact by exposing the misdeeds of the government during the budget session. In an interview to DNA he says walkouts are not his style, he believes in using democratic norms to disarm the government.

Why has the opposition failed to make an impact in the ongoing budget session?
If that was true, the government wouldn’t have been rattled. In the last ten days, we have exposed several financial scandals like the Rs2,000-crore builder scam, the Rs3,500-crore lottery scam and the Rs1,200-crore land deal in Pune. We are going to bring a breach of motion against the government for lying in its proposal, calling Mantralaya a slum.

But, the government has denied the proposal categorised Mantralaya as a slum…
I have documentary proof. The list of structures classified as slums include Mantralaya, ministers’ bungalows, MLA hostel, and so on. Neither chief minister Ashok Chavan nor deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal could deny my charge. They cleverly replied that it was a hutment colony near Mantralaya marked as a slum.

The state budget 2010-11 was a disappointment…
The government cannot provide funds as shown in the budget. They are bound to cut the plan size gradually. They are shouldering a Rs2-lakh crore debt with no plans to raise
funds. They have imposed a Rs-20,000 non-agriculture cess
on houses across the state. Heavy taxation is an outcome of
poor management.
 
How would you rate chief minister Ashok Chavan?
I have nothing personal against him. But, he is the most insensitive and non-serious chief minister. The government has taken the people for granted and believes it can get away with anything.
 
And, home minister RR Patil?
He is a good person, but what is the use if he cannot act tough and streamline the police administration. Despite a supreme court ruling against irregularities, no action was taken against A N Roy. In his own hometown Sangli, police atrocities have scaled new heights.
 
Why haven’t we seen collective aggression from the opposition?
Ever since I took over the reins, I have played a constructive role. I am against violence and pandemonium in the session. I believe the opposition should not go to the well of the House frequently. Instead, effective debate and discussion should be our weapon to fight the government.
 
Is your strategy working?
Yes. Already cabinet ministers are afraid they will be at the receiving end and have started making courtesy calls. But, there will be no question of compromise on our part to spare anybody, including the chief minister.