Maharashtra opposition not to give up demand of Prithviraj Chavan's resignation

Leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra assembly, Eknath Khadse, on Tuesday said the opposition will persist with its demand of resignation of chief minister Prithviraj Chavan over his role in the appointment of  PJ Thomas as chief vigilance commissioner.

Talking to reporters after the house was adjourned for the day, Khadse said it was wrong to say that state government had nothing to do with the appointment of CVC.

"Cases of irregularities, corruption in the state come under the CVC's purview. I have submitted some cases to the CVC," Khadse added.

He alleged that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had held Chavan (then minister of state in the PMO) responsible for shortlisting Thomas's name, despite an adverse report.

"Even the Kerala chief minister said that Chavan did not tell the Centre about pending case against  Thomas...Supreme Court (subsequently) declared the appointment as illegal."

Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai told reporters that the Kerala chief minister had made insulting remarks against his Maharashtra counterpart, saying that Chavan was lying (on CVC issue).

"Instead of adjourning the house, Chavan should explain this," Desai said.

Congress sources said that opposition was bereft of issues, and therefore it was raking up the CVC issue.