MUMBAI, April 21: A letter to the Assembly Secretariat from Urban Development Secretary K Nalinakshan barring discussion on the controversial multi-crore Sahara project in Pune raised a storm in the Lower House, where Opposition members said taking cognisance of the communication would set a precedent in the history of the state Legislature. The Congress-led Opposition also threatened to move a breach of privilege notice against the high-profile bureaucrat.Trouble began when the House was discussing the budgetary demands of the Urban Development, Housing, Public Works, Public Health and General Administration departments. Congress member Dilip Walse Patil alleged that despite Chief Minister Manohar Joshi's orders, unauthorised and illegal structures of the Sahara project in Pune have not been demolished. Even as he thundered on, Shiv Sena member Bhaskar Jadhav raised a point of order, saying any further debate on the project should not be allowed since it was subjudice.Deputy Speaker Sharad Tasareaccepted Jadhav's objection, saying the Urban Development secretary had already written a letter to the Assembly secretariat, barring discussion in the Assembly saying the matter is subjudice. However, Opposition leader Madhukar Pichad said that the secretary's `directive' encroaches on the rights of elected representatives.Later, Congress members led by Raosaheb Patil and Rohidas Patil alleged corruption at all levels of the government and in all departments. "This is the time in the state's history that the chief minister is facing corruption charges from none other than his own political mentor and party head," Raosaheb Patil said while quoting extensively from Sena chief Bal Thackeray's interview published in Saamna on March 21 and 22."I have been making charges of corruption against Chief Minister Manohar Joshi and his links with leading builders Shantilal Maru and Raj Dadarkar. Now, none other than Thackeray has confirmed that Dadarkar is accepting huge bribes ," Patil remarked.Shifting focusto the Public Works Department headed by Nitin Gadkari, Raosaheb Patil said the Rs 140-crore contract for the fourth phase of the Mumbai-Pune expressway was given to V M Jog Constructions in blatant violation of the rules. "As per the tender conditions, the contract should have been awarded to Nagarjuna Constructions, whose tender was less by nine per cent against Jog's tender, which was 15 per cent higher than the prescribed value.Replying to the marathon debate, Joshi denied the charges of corruption levelled against him. He said his political mentor Thackeray had never levelled any charges against him. "The moment, he accuses me of charges of corruption, I will quit the post immediately," Joshi added. Referring to the row over the Khilnani school in his constituency, Joshi said that he would try to restore possession to the school authorities.
