BJP has sought the intervention of President Pranab Mukherjee in the Adarsh Housing Society case, urging him to seek explanation from Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan for not allowing the CBI to prosecute former chief minister Ashok Chavan in the scam. The party has sent 1,000 pages of documents to the President in support of their demand. State BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis said Mukherjee should recall the governor. “The party is planning a two-pronged strategy, seeking justice through the highest Constitutional authority and the Bombay High Court,” said Fadnavis, adding that the Adarsh Commission report, which clearly indicted top politicians and bureaucrats, could not be covered up by those holding Constitutional powers in the state. He said: “The respective stands taken by the state government and the governor are contradictory, forcing us to take the matter to the President.” He said the government should proceed with a fresh FIR or allow CBI to continue its investigation, adding that if the governor could not be asked to review his decision, he should be recalled. Earlier, former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya said: “We have sent 1,000 pages of documents to the President and urged him to seek explanation from the governor for his decision to not allow prosecution of Ashok Chavan.” “The commission’s report has categorically stated that there is evidence to establish quid pro quo charge against Ashok Chavan. How can the governor dismiss the argument? This is the point BJP leaders are making before the President,” he said, releasing copies of the governor’s order. In its list of 14 objections raised before the President, the BJP has said: “The Adarsh Commission report has evidently stated that there exists prima facie case against Ashok Chavan. It specifically states that there was quid pro quo by Ashok Chavan, recommending penal action. The action taken report by the Maharashtra government has recommended action for quid pro quo and also said CBI has already filed FIR against 13 accused, including Ashok Chavan.” Among other issues pointed out in the documents highlights, the BJP has said: “The PAC of Parliament on Adarsh scam has observed connivance and corrupt practices and recommended strict actions. It’s on the basis on the governor’s refusal to grant sanction that the CBI approached the special court to delete Ashok Chavan’s name as accused.”
