Interview with Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chwan
By Vaidehi Sachin
Newly sworn in Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, was elected the new leader of the Democratic Front to succeed Vilasrao Deshmukh, who quit following the Mumbai terror attacks. The fifty years young Chief Minister of Maharashtra is the son of veteran Congress leader and two time Chief Minister, the late Shankarrao Chavan. They happen to be the first father-son duo to hold the top political post in the state. The 50-year-old management graduate has been representing the Mudkhed constituency in Nanded district in the assembly since 1999.Shankarrao Chavan was chief minister for the first time from 1975 to 1977 and his second term was from 1986 to 1988.
What do you have to say about Rane's criticism over your credentials?
I don’t take it to heart because the one who is making all these allegations is a senior leader. He could not take his defeat in a positive spirit. His only ambition to join the Congress was to aim for the CM’s post. I can understand his frustration; whatever he is saying about me is out of anger. The decision to make me Chief Minister was the party High command’s choice. She thought of me because she thought I am capable. My work will speak for me.
Rane was not aware of this selection? Is there any threat to Congress party from Narayan Rane?.
Till the last moment none of us was very much sure of who was going to be the Chief Minister, when the Congress Party’s central observers, Pranab Mukherjee and A.K. Antony finalised their shortlists after interviewing us. However, the final choice was left to party chief Sonia Gandhi. Rane and I sat beside each other and I told him that time, let any one of us become CM, the decision should not affect our relations, none of us should feel offended. There is no threat from Rane to my party.
You said your first preference after becoming the Chief Minister would be gaining the people’s confidence. Do you think people have shown their confidence in you?
In order to win the people's confidence, my priority was to enhance the security and the intelligence gathering machinery in Mumbai. Henceforth implementation of every decision taken by the state government would be time-bound. I will try my level best to secure and protect my people. I will do it, then automatically they will trust me.
Will the demand from opposition leaders for police officers’ resignation be fulfilled?
No. I don’t think this is needed; the solution to terror is not resignations. We need to improve our system and provide training to them. Stern action against lax officials for dereliction of duty and lack of security/intelligence which led to the Mumbai terror strikes has already been taken.
Do you admit the lapses in department?
I have already admitted that there were several lapses which led to the Mumbai attacks. We are examining what went wrong and are trying to implement corrective measures. There is no point in hiding mistakes on the part of the state government. There could be some shortcomings. But hereafter, I will ensure that there is no shortage of funds or red-tapism as far the state's security is concerned.
You are the latest in the list of kin of politicians in the state who have profited from the legacy of their seniors. There are sons and daughters galore who have made it big in politics.
See having political background definitely helps politician, but that does not mean all those famous leaders are kin of politicians. There are famous examples like Sushil Kumar Shinde, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chhagan Bhujbal. You should have an inclination towards politics, not blood relations.
What is the difference and the similarity between Ashok Chavan and Shankarrao Chavan?
My father was a very straight forward person. He could dare to say no and oppose wrong people in the party. That period was different. Now, I have to be more diplomatic, and say “let us see’ when I have to refuse. I don’t dare to say no. The similarity between us is we share same blood and Congress party is in our veins. He was legendary, while I am yet to grow.
You have done MBA, you possess many degrees. But people say your biggest qualification here is that you are a veteran Congress leader and son of two-time Maharashtra Chief Minister S.B. Chavan. Is it true?
(Keeps mum, then laughs helplessly) There is nothing wrong if people say so, because I learned grass root level politics from my father. I have been living with party politics since I opened my eyes. My father was an institution for me. I feel proud to be his son. I am born in Mumbai, educated here. Being the son of a senior Congressman, I could live with two different generations of politicians. I could learn political lessons at home itself.
You have achieved so many qualifications. Is it necessary for a politician?
Whether it is necessary or not, I don’t want to comment, but education definitely helps one to be techno savvy. It also helps in time management, strategy planning and delivering the best. Only an educated minister can understand the value of administrative skills. Seniors’ guidance is also very important.
What is your opinion on the Marathi manoos issue? Do you agree to this?
Tell me one thing, how many of us have accepted it? If Barrack Obama can be president of the United States, why should we live with these petty things? The Constitution has a certain framework, and it is mentioned in our Constitution that one who is domiciled of Maharashtra, irrespective of his caste and creed, he is Maharashtrian. Being a citizen of this state you can avail of all the rights. This issue was taken up for political advantage by misguiding a few youth of this state, but no one is concern about the welfare of these people. The people of Maharashtra are wise enough to understand these gimmicks.
Your wife is Punjabi and you are Maharastrian, has this ever bothered you?
Don’t relate my marriage with this issue. We are a very happy family. I am married to Amita , who runs the home and we have two daughters, twins Srijaya and Sujaya; both are students of Jai Hind College. They are born and brought up here and such issues have never affected us.
Vilasrao Deshmukh failed to handle this issue, but how will you tackle it in future?
How can you say this? Deshmukh has not failed. You can recollect Raj Thackeray’s arrest. There were cases registered against him. He was banned from making public speeches. No need to blame Deshmukh. He has done all that which fits into the legal framework.
People say you don’t give them time, you are never available.
People need to understand one thing, that I have hundred of jobs to do. I need time to function, if I sit in office for twenty four hours and start meeting people, I will never be able to function. I don’t want to blame government officers or visitors. The State should have proper direction of execution. Collectors should settle people’s problems on their level, Tehsildars should be active at the village level. Then only can a Chief Minister concentrate on state welfare issues.
Don’t you think your post has the biggest challenge in the state?
It is shocking to see the pending rebuilding, rehabilitation work as well as the recent display of public anger. It is a challenge which I accept. The system has lots of flaws and I need to correct them. I am here to serve my people and my work will prove my ability. I request people to trust and support me. United we can do much better.
Newly sworn in Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, was elected the new leader of the Democratic Front to succeed Vilasrao Deshmukh, who quit following the Mumbai terror attacks. The fifty years young Chief Minister of Maharashtra is the son of veteran Congress leader and two time Chief Minister, the late Shankarrao Chavan. They happen to be the first father-son duo to hold the top political post in the state. The 50-year-old management graduate has been representing the Mudkhed constituency in Nanded district in the assembly since 1999.Shankarrao Chavan was chief minister for the first time from 1975 to 1977 and his second term was from 1986 to 1988.
What do you have to say about Rane's criticism over your credentials?
I don’t take it to heart because the one who is making all these allegations is a senior leader. He could not take his defeat in a positive spirit. His only ambition to join the Congress was to aim for the CM’s post. I can understand his frustration; whatever he is saying about me is out of anger. The decision to make me Chief Minister was the party High command’s choice. She thought of me because she thought I am capable. My work will speak for me.
Rane was not aware of this selection? Is there any threat to Congress party from Narayan Rane?.
Till the last moment none of us was very much sure of who was going to be the Chief Minister, when the Congress Party’s central observers, Pranab Mukherjee and A.K. Antony finalised their shortlists after interviewing us. However, the final choice was left to party chief Sonia Gandhi. Rane and I sat beside each other and I told him that time, let any one of us become CM, the decision should not affect our relations, none of us should feel offended. There is no threat from Rane to my party.
You said your first preference after becoming the Chief Minister would be gaining the people’s confidence. Do you think people have shown their confidence in you?
In order to win the people's confidence, my priority was to enhance the security and the intelligence gathering machinery in Mumbai. Henceforth implementation of every decision taken by the state government would be time-bound. I will try my level best to secure and protect my people. I will do it, then automatically they will trust me.
Will the demand from opposition leaders for police officers’ resignation be fulfilled?
No. I don’t think this is needed; the solution to terror is not resignations. We need to improve our system and provide training to them. Stern action against lax officials for dereliction of duty and lack of security/intelligence which led to the Mumbai terror strikes has already been taken.
Do you admit the lapses in department?
I have already admitted that there were several lapses which led to the Mumbai attacks. We are examining what went wrong and are trying to implement corrective measures. There is no point in hiding mistakes on the part of the state government. There could be some shortcomings. But hereafter, I will ensure that there is no shortage of funds or red-tapism as far the state's security is concerned.
You are the latest in the list of kin of politicians in the state who have profited from the legacy of their seniors. There are sons and daughters galore who have made it big in politics.
See having political background definitely helps politician, but that does not mean all those famous leaders are kin of politicians. There are famous examples like Sushil Kumar Shinde, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chhagan Bhujbal. You should have an inclination towards politics, not blood relations.
What is the difference and the similarity between Ashok Chavan and Shankarrao Chavan?
My father was a very straight forward person. He could dare to say no and oppose wrong people in the party. That period was different. Now, I have to be more diplomatic, and say “let us see’ when I have to refuse. I don’t dare to say no. The similarity between us is we share same blood and Congress party is in our veins. He was legendary, while I am yet to grow.
You have done MBA, you possess many degrees. But people say your biggest qualification here is that you are a veteran Congress leader and son of two-time Maharashtra Chief Minister S.B. Chavan. Is it true?
(Keeps mum, then laughs helplessly) There is nothing wrong if people say so, because I learned grass root level politics from my father. I have been living with party politics since I opened my eyes. My father was an institution for me. I feel proud to be his son. I am born in Mumbai, educated here. Being the son of a senior Congressman, I could live with two different generations of politicians. I could learn political lessons at home itself.
You have achieved so many qualifications. Is it necessary for a politician?
Whether it is necessary or not, I don’t want to comment, but education definitely helps one to be techno savvy. It also helps in time management, strategy planning and delivering the best. Only an educated minister can understand the value of administrative skills. Seniors’ guidance is also very important.
What is your opinion on the Marathi manoos issue? Do you agree to this?
Tell me one thing, how many of us have accepted it? If Barrack Obama can be president of the United States, why should we live with these petty things? The Constitution has a certain framework, and it is mentioned in our Constitution that one who is domiciled of Maharashtra, irrespective of his caste and creed, he is Maharashtrian. Being a citizen of this state you can avail of all the rights. This issue was taken up for political advantage by misguiding a few youth of this state, but no one is concern about the welfare of these people. The people of Maharashtra are wise enough to understand these gimmicks.
Your wife is Punjabi and you are Maharastrian, has this ever bothered you?
Don’t relate my marriage with this issue. We are a very happy family. I am married to Amita , who runs the home and we have two daughters, twins Srijaya and Sujaya; both are students of Jai Hind College. They are born and brought up here and such issues have never affected us.
Vilasrao Deshmukh failed to handle this issue, but how will you tackle it in future?
How can you say this? Deshmukh has not failed. You can recollect Raj Thackeray’s arrest. There were cases registered against him. He was banned from making public speeches. No need to blame Deshmukh. He has done all that which fits into the legal framework.
People say you don’t give them time, you are never available.
People need to understand one thing, that I have hundred of jobs to do. I need time to function, if I sit in office for twenty four hours and start meeting people, I will never be able to function. I don’t want to blame government officers or visitors. The State should have proper direction of execution. Collectors should settle people’s problems on their level, Tehsildars should be active at the village level. Then only can a Chief Minister concentrate on state welfare issues.
Don’t you think your post has the biggest challenge in the state?
It is shocking to see the pending rebuilding, rehabilitation work as well as the recent display of public anger. It is a challenge which I accept. The system has lots of flaws and I need to correct them. I am here to serve my people and my work will prove my ability. I request people to trust and support me. United we can do much better.
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