 "Rebuilding Cong in Maharashtra a big challenge: Ashok Chavan")
Former chief minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan has been appointed as the new Pradesh Congress Committee chief. Chavan, who had to quit the chief minister’s post over his alleged involvement in Adarsh Housing scam, is known for his organisational skills. In an interview with Sanjay Jog, Chavan, MP from his home district Nanded, talks about his future plans.
Critics within the party allege that you have been appointed because of your proximity to Rahul Gandhi. What is your take?
I have been a loyal party worker. Sonia Gandhi is our party president and Rahul Gandhi is vice-president. They are my leaders. I will work hard to do justice to the post.
Senior leader and former chief minister Narayan Rane has expressed displeasure over your appointment. How do you propose to take him along?
He is a veteran leader and it will be my sincere effort to take him along in the party’s functioning.
The Congress is yet to recover from a series of defeats in the state. What are your priorities?
I agree that it’s a challenging situation. The election results show the party has not performed well. My priority will be to rebuild the Congress in Maharashtra by keeping all party leaders and workers together and regain voters’ confidence. My experience as chief minister will come handy for me to strengthen the party organisation.
Further, several districts have been affected due to drought, untimely rainfall and hailstorm. The Congress will remain firmly with the farmers and will take up their cause both in and outside the state legislature. It is ironical that farmers’ suicides are increasing day by day as the BJP-Shiv Sena government has miserably failed to effectively tackle the situation. It is the Congress’ demand that the government should immediately pay due compensation to the farmers.
Besides, the Congress will strongly oppose the amendments to the land acquisition law proposed by the BJP government. The revised version is totally anti-farmer. The party is not against development but the development should not be done at the cost of farmers. The Modi government has dropped provisions with regard to farmers’ consent from the existing Act. I want to make it clear that the Congress will play the role of a vigilant and constructive opposition and not oppose the government for the sake of Opposition.
How serious is your party about countering the activities of fascist and communal forces in Maharashtra?
It is a matter of serious concern. The government is yet to arrest the killers of anti-superstition activist Govind Pansare. The Congress will take all secular parties together to oppose fascists and communal forces.
Your appointment comes at a time when the trials in the Adarsh and paid news cases are in the final stages. What is your comment?
I do not want to make any comment, as the matter (Adarsh scam case) is sub-judice. When I was given party ticket in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the party president had then said nothing in law barred me from contesting elections. As far as the paid news case is concerned, the Election Commission has given me a clean chit.
How do you plan to take the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) along on key issues?
The NCP was Congress’ coalition partner when I was the chief minister. I will handle the NCP in a similar manner.
Critics within the party allege that you have been appointed because of your proximity to Rahul Gandhi. What is your take?
I have been a loyal party worker. Sonia Gandhi is our party president and Rahul Gandhi is vice-president. They are my leaders. I will work hard to do justice to the post.
Senior leader and former chief minister Narayan Rane has expressed displeasure over your appointment. How do you propose to take him along?
He is a veteran leader and it will be my sincere effort to take him along in the party’s functioning.
The Congress is yet to recover from a series of defeats in the state. What are your priorities?
I agree that it’s a challenging situation. The election results show the party has not performed well. My priority will be to rebuild the Congress in Maharashtra by keeping all party leaders and workers together and regain voters’ confidence. My experience as chief minister will come handy for me to strengthen the party organisation.
Further, several districts have been affected due to drought, untimely rainfall and hailstorm. The Congress will remain firmly with the farmers and will take up their cause both in and outside the state legislature. It is ironical that farmers’ suicides are increasing day by day as the BJP-Shiv Sena government has miserably failed to effectively tackle the situation. It is the Congress’ demand that the government should immediately pay due compensation to the farmers.
Besides, the Congress will strongly oppose the amendments to the land acquisition law proposed by the BJP government. The revised version is totally anti-farmer. The party is not against development but the development should not be done at the cost of farmers. The Modi government has dropped provisions with regard to farmers’ consent from the existing Act. I want to make it clear that the Congress will play the role of a vigilant and constructive opposition and not oppose the government for the sake of Opposition.
How serious is your party about countering the activities of fascist and communal forces in Maharashtra?
It is a matter of serious concern. The government is yet to arrest the killers of anti-superstition activist Govind Pansare. The Congress will take all secular parties together to oppose fascists and communal forces.
Your appointment comes at a time when the trials in the Adarsh and paid news cases are in the final stages. What is your comment?
I do not want to make any comment, as the matter (Adarsh scam case) is sub-judice. When I was given party ticket in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the party president had then said nothing in law barred me from contesting elections. As far as the paid news case is concerned, the Election Commission has given me a clean chit.
How do you plan to take the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) along on key issues?
The NCP was Congress’ coalition partner when I was the chief minister. I will handle the NCP in a similar manner.