BJP demands immediate resignation of Chavan

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday demanded the immediate resignation of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan for his alleged role in the Adarsh Society scam.

Accusing Chavan of nepotism, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said that he should not be given time to leave office in an honourable manner.

"We demand the immediate resignation of Ashok Chavan. We certainly do not accept that he be given time to leave office, as is being projected by the Congress party," said Sitharaman.

She also demanded that the government form an inquiry committee to be headed by a sitting Supreme Court or High Court judge to probe the scam thoroughly and present the facts before the nation.

The government, she said, should also invoke the Defence of India Act and revoke the allotment certificate made to the Adarsh Society in Colaba, Mumbai.

The Congress, on the other hand, has reportedly decided to give a face-saving and honourable exit to Chavan.

Party sources also said that the two-member committee appointed to probe the scam has been formed with the objective of containing the political damage that has arisen.

The Congress, according to sources, is reluctant to face a major political crisis in the run-up to next month's visit to India by United States President Barack Obama.

Sources said the party and the government would like the visit to go off without a hitch. It was also revealed that the Congress leadership is wary and cautious about provoking a political and leadership crisis in Maharashtra.