Not only opposition parties but also the Congress criticised Chavan.
Prithviraj Chavan toured the state within nine months, even visiting Maoist areas in Gadchiroli and troubled nuclear power project site in Jaitapur, of taking over as the state’s chief minister. But these visits came to naught as political leaders, cutting across party lines, questioned his ability to understand the state and its problems.
Leaders from his own party, the Congress, say he is Mr Clean but that has not worked even a wee bit in strengthening the party’s position in the state. “The chief minister gave in to pressure tactics [getting their files cleared] of independent MLAs during the July Rajya Sabha elections as he needed their support. Hussain Dalwai was the Congress’ RS candidate,” a Congress functionary said. “Party MLAs from Vidarbha had expressed their unhappiness over this. They were miffed with Chavan for keeping their files on hold even as he cleared files of independent MLAs.”
Political experts feel Chavan has the right political perception but his passion for maintaining a clean image has made him timid. He cannot take any decisions because that would need a courageous approach, an expert said.
Opposition parties too vouch for his clean image. Sudhir Mungantiwar of the BJP said Chavan was Maharashtra’s Manmohan Singh. “There is no doubt regarding his clean image but he has failed as an administrator,” he said. “By sending him to the state, the Congress has ensured that the BJP-Shiv Sena combine forms the government in the state in 2014. Except for clearing two projects — the Navi Mumbai airport and the nuclear power project in Jaitapur — Chavan has done nothing in all these months. He has even failed to keep his promise of having an administration free of corruption.”
Subhash Desai (Sena) said he could not say anything about Chavan as he has not done any substantial work for the state. “All Mantralaya work has stopped and the person responsible for it is our CM,” Desai said. “Just because you have a clean image does not mean you are suitable for the post. The CM should take firm decisions for the state’s growth. I do not think he knows the problems of Mumbai. What about redeveloping Dharavi or providing mill workers with houses? Chavan has failed completely.” l Turn to p3
Ram Kadam of the MNS said everyone had high expectations from him. “But work on all development projects have almost stopped,” he said. “The files are gathering dust and no constructive work is happening. Chavan needs to introspect and find out where he is going wrong.”
An officer from the chief minister’s office said that the CM had kept his promise of visiting Jaitapur and other places. “He is aware of the problems dogging these areas,” he said.
But a minister from the CM’s cabinet said the industries ministry has been without a secretary for the past three months. This has affected the work, he said. “There are other departments as well without an administrative leadership.”
An official from the urban development department said the Adarsh controversy had affected development and housing projects. “The metro and monorail projects are way behind schedule,” he said.
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