Land scam: Cong leaders come under CM scanner

Oppn party alleges Fadnavis planning to trap them through probe

In a bid to drag Congress into trouble, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has expanded the scope of K P Bakshi committee instituted to probe into de-notifying of land belonging to Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) by Subhash Desai, minister for industries.

Now the committee will probe such type of decisions taken by predecessors of Desai in erstwhile Congress Nationalist Congress (NCP) alliance government including Ashok Chavan, Rajendra Darda and Narayan Rane. Congress blamed Fadnavis is planning to target Chavan and Darda and claimed it is vindictive politics.

On a day when Rane, chief of Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh (MSP) and ally of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had warned chief minister to include him into state cabinet before he will lose patience on Friday, Bakshi revealed Fadnavis has been expanded the scope of the inquiry and asked him to take review of decisions taken during past 15 years. Now he will also probe decisions taken by Rane being minister for industries. According to sources, Rane would be under scanner and his induction into state cabinet would be affected.

Bakshi, who had served as additional secretary (Home) confirmed that his panel which was earlier examining charges against Desai only, is now examining his predecessor's decisions as well. “I have to submit my report on February 15,” said Bakshi.

According to source from industries department, former industries minister including Rane, Chavan and Darda have been asked to submit their explanations on decisions regarding de-notifications of MIDC land in writing. During the investigation, it was revealed the maximum amount of MIDC land was de-notified during the tenure of Rane. However, Desai claimed he had taken decisions based on rules and had not violated it. Desai also claimed maximum decisions to de-notify MIDC land were taken during tenure of Rane and Darda.

Dhananjay Munde, leader of opposition in legislative council had alleged 3,000 acres of land in Nasik, which was acquired by MIDC, was illegally returned to the original land owners. While alleging Desai in monsoon session, Munde had termed it a 'major scam' and had demanded independent inquiry.

Desai had offered resignation to the chief minister who had rejected it and formed Bakshi committee in July 2017 to probe the matter.

Sachin Sawant, Congress spokesperson said it is well thought plan of BJP and the chief minister to trap leaders of opposition in irrelevant issues. “Congress asked resignation of Desai and the CM brought congress leaders under scanner of MIDC land. This is ridiculous,” said Sawant.

Bakshi committee to probe Ashok Chavan, Rajendra Darda along with Narayan Rane, whose induction into state cabinet may be affected