CMs accuses Sena-BJP MPs of acting against state

NEW DELHI: Stung by the Opposition walkout at the meeting of MPs over the Mumbai blasts and farmers suicides, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh targeted Shiv Sena and BJP, accusing them of acting against the state's interests through 'cheap attempts to gain publicity'.

"It seems everything was pre-planned. It seemed as if their names have not appeared in newspapers for long....What they did was against the interests of Maharashtra as Monday's meeting was called to acquaint them of the state's pending projects and issues with the Centre", Deshmukh told reporters.

He said that it was lamentable that Manohar Joshi, who is a former Chief Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker, was also party to such an action.

Hinting that those in the Opposition should show Mumbai spirit which saw people in the megapolis going about their task within hours of the ghastly incidents, he said it was not proper to raise the blasts issue when the investigation was going on proper lines.

Asked whether Congress would contest the Rajya Sabha seat fallen vacant by the recent death of NCP member Vasant Chavan, he remarked that it was for the high command to take a decision in the matter and "my job is only to implement it".