Let Adarsh panel arrive at decision: Deshmukh on affidavit

Union Rural Development Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Monday said that it was up to the judicial panel probing into the Adarsh scam to give its verdict as all the concerned parties have filed their respective affidavits in the case.

When his attention was drawn towards the affidavit filed by former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, Deshmukh said, "I have filed my affidavit stating my version just as others have done. The commission will examine all this and arrive at its decision."

Chavan, who was state's Revenue Minister from 1999 to 2003, when the land was allotted to the controversial society, in an affidavit before the two-member judicial commission probing the alleged fraud, denied any role in it and said the plot was sanctioned by the Chief Minister.

"In respect of allotment of plots of land of the value exceeding Rs 25 lakh and plots of land situated in Pune city, Mumbai city and suburbs, the decision for allotment is that of the Chief Minister as per the Rules of Business," Chavan said in the affidavit, apparently shifting the blame on Deshmukh, without naming him.

Similarly, Deshmukh in his affidavit before the panel on Friday sought to put the onus for alleged irregularities in Adarsh on the Revenue Department and Mumbai collector.

"We can only wait till the verdict is delivered by the commission," Deshmukh told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Balewadi near here.