Premature to comment on Adarsh Housing scam: Pranab Mukherjee

NEW DELHI - Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is expected to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Tuesday evening, with regard to Mumbai’s Adarsh Society scam, has said that it is premature to comment on the scam.

“Yet to look at the details of Adarsh Housing scam. It is premature to comment on the scam. Defence Minister A K Antony will look into Chavan’s role in the scam,” NDTV quoted Mukherjee, as saying.

It has been reported that a final call on Chavan’s political future will be taken after an inquiry headed by Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister AK Antony, who is the Congress General Secretary in-charge of Maharashtra.

Chavan met Congress President Sonia Gandhi earlier on Saturday after being summoned to New Delhi by the Congress High Command.

“Regarding the Mumbai scam, I have given the information to Sonia Gandhi.I have told her the truth. What role we play in it has all been put on the table. It is the government’s land,” said Chavan.

“CBI inquiry is also welcome. It should be researched and investigated. The truth should be out. Everyone should know all the facts. I have offered to tender my resignation, left it to the Congress President to take the final call,” he added.

The 31-storey Adarsh Society in Colaba, Mumbai, has become the catchment area for a massive political controversy.

Former army chiefs, politicians and bureaucrats have all been allotted flats here for a fraction of the market rate.

Records show that two members of Chavan’s family, whom he describes as distant relatives, are among the 104 alottees for Adarsh Society.

The CBI is now investigating the scam. (ANI)