Boycott of tea party against parliamentary customs: CM

Slamming Opposition leaders for boycotting the customary tea party before the start of the state legislature's session, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said the action was against the parliamentary customs.
"Boycotting the customary tea party is against the parliamentary process. Government is prepared and ready to hold debates on the issues (flagged by the opposition)," Chavan said, addressing a press conference on the eve of the Budget session here.
He said the opposition boycotted the tea party hosted by him with an eye on Lok Sabha elections. "It was done in view of the elections, and to gain publicity," he said.

"If they want answers (to issues concerning the state), they can be resolved only after holding a debate in the House," he added.
Responding to a query about the possible comeback by former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who was indicted by the judicial commission in the Adarsh scam, Chavan said: "Government is ready to discuss each and every aspect of the issue in the House."
Some media reports had suggested earlier that the former Chief Minister may be made head of the state Congress's election campaign committee.
Speaking on the increasing debt of the state government, as alleged by the Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Eknath Khadse, Chavan said the debt was under the limits laid down by the Centre.