The alleged involvement of Maharashtra Water Resources minister Sunil Tatkare in a land scam worth Rs. 25,000 Crores; has already brought NCP into deep trouble. Though the NCP chief Mr. Sharad Pawar instead of taking action against his minister, has only come out to support him and is now ‘up in arms’ against the UPA government. Actually, the chief Minister Mr. Pritviraj Chavan’s assurance that he would initiate an inquiry, has disturbed the NCP camp, say the experts in opposition. . “ It is for this reason, Mr. Pawar is playing his pressure tactics in Delhi, to get rid of Mr. Prithviraj Chavan from the chief minister’s post,” said BJP MLA Mr. Devendra Phadavnis, while speaking to Star Majha.

While this pressure tactics was on in Delhi, Mr. Kirit Somaiya, the BJP spokesperson has alleged that Mr. Chagan Bhujbal is also involved in a big scam of construction of Maharashtra Sadan. Reacting to Mr. Bhujbal’s defence, that Mr Somaiya was maligning his image, by making such allegations, Mr. Somaiya has challenged him to file a defamatory suit against him. “ If he has guts, let him come out openly, to name who is the real culprit. I am sure, if he does, he will land himself into trouble.” said Mr. Somaiya. The allegations made by Somaiya, also remind one and all about the NCP’s involvement in PWD and State Co-op bank scams in the past. Will the State Congress leaders bow down to the pressure tactics applied by Mr. Sharad Pawar? The prime minister is already trying his best to resolve the issue. Let us wait and see.

As we witnessed so much about the focus of CM for a white paper on irrigation department, we saw a very important issue of ‘water harvesting’ being taken up by Aamir Khan, in his programme ‘Satyamev Jayate’. And, this was a timely programme to educate the citizens of this country how the rain water was being wasted. The actor emphasized the need of water harvesting. He also brought to light, as to how people living close to the water lake in Shahpur, supplying water to Mumbai city, were deprived of drinking water from this lake and were forced to use tanker water. Aamir’s thought provoking programme certainly makes us aware as to why the BMC and state Government is not insisting on water harvesting by all co-operative housing societies in Mumbai, where rain water is simply wasted as it moves into the sea, through drainage pipes .

Another political news that remained the topic of discussion during the week was about the support extended by Shiv Sena to Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, the new president elect of India. A little before the election, the Maharashtra CM also tried to seek support from MNS MLA’s by speaking to Mr. Raj Thackeray; but, the shrewd politician decided to remain neutral. However, his fine gesture of accompanying Mr. Uddhav Thackeray from Hospital to home, while he had gone for check up to hospital for chest pain; had sent speculations in Political circle. But, he clarified to the media, that he was just doing his duty at domestic front and such things should not be mixed with politics. The latest news is that Mr. Udhhav Thackeray is back home after undergoing treatment for heart.

Not much of attention has been paid by Marathi news channels to the ongoing India- Sri Lanka cricket series; but the news on forthcoming London Olympics is inviting all the attention. Now, just few days left for the big event, special informatory programmes are arranged by different channels. During the week, the sad demise of first Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna also received a vast coverage on the day of his death and the next day, till noon, with his funeral ending at Vile Parle crematorium. The live coverage clearly indicated the popularity of the actor, with the homage paid by many celebrities to his departed soul.

  
by Ulhas Shirke © MMW