Almost 48 hours after Narayan Rane’s caustic attack against CM Vilasrao Deshmukh, top officials of the AICC and MPCC swung into damage control mode.
Almost 48 hours after Revenue Minister Narayan Rane’s caustic attack against Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, top officials of the AICC and MPCC swung into damage control mode. But Deshmukh remained unfazed carrying on with his scheduled work, hopping between Mumbai and Pune for administrative work leaving politics to Rane and his followers. Deshmukh admits there is no point pondering much over Friday’s developments when Rane accused him of running the government to serve his own interests. Excerpts from an exclusive interview with the CM:
You were a key campaigner in Gujarat. How do you react to the defeat of the Congress?
In Congress, we have always believed in democracy. We have always inculcated the spirit of democracy in our day-to-day functioning as well electoral politics. The election results depict the public verdict. I totally accept the people’s mandate.
On Friday, Narayan Rane launched an open attack against you and your government. He has said the government is being run to serve just your interests.
I dismiss the charges levelled against me. All policy decisions are taken collectively within the cabinet. If ministers have any suggestions to make, or have any differences, they are free to express themselves. The government has always worked for public welfare.
How difficult will it be for you to work with Rane in the same cabinet after such developments?
I have no problems working with Rane. I have always maintained that if there are any issues, we can sit together and sort them out.
Are you hurt?
I would like to move ahead. I don’t want to attach much importance to Friday’s developments. I have to continue with my work.
The high command — Sonia Gandhi met Rane. How do you look at the overall developments?
I have nothing much to add. The high command has taken note of the developments. We are guided by them.
Is AICC media cell chairman Veerappa Moily’s statement condemning Narayan Rane’s outburst adequate?
I don’t want to comment. As I said, our leaders have taken note of the matter. Yes, the AICC statement speaks volumes.
How safe and stable is the Maharashtra government?
There is no threat to my government in Maharashtra. The government is stable.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}