Maha CM dons nationalist's hat at PBD 2010

For Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan India comes before Maharashtra or for that matter any of the states of the Indian Union.

"Come to India, invest in India and let India emerge as a stronger nation," was Chavan's message to all the overseas Indians who attended the chief ministers' conclave on the concluding day of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2010.

Chavan's statement was well received by all overseas Indians present at the venue.

Such a statement coming from a chief minister of a state seemed to create some discomfiture for Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chauhan and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who had pitched for NRI investments only to their respective states before Chavan.

Not one to be easily cowed down Narendra Modi showed his magnanimity by shaking hands with Chavan after his address even as the latter sat next to Modi.

After getting a huge applause for his 'come to India…' remark Chavan soon began his hardsell for Maharashtra.

"I am confident when you come to India you will prefer Maharashtra for ours is a global state and we have a global vision that has been the hallmark of  (Prime Minister) Manmohan Singhji's government,"

Chavan said.

"You are welcome to Maharashtra where you can find maximum opportunities and maximum benefits," he gave an open-arm invitation to all those present.

Pitching strongly for NRI investments in Maharashtra's industrially backward regions like Vidarbha and Marathwada (from where Chavan comes) he said that the state government will facilitate such investments under a single window clearance in not more than 15 to 20 days.

This, in fact, was the highlight of the chief ministers' conclave on Saturday where all of them assured overseas Indian investors of single window clearances.

"There are regional imbalances in Maharashtra and our focus will be on investments in rural development and healthcare projects," Chavan said.

Encouraging the Indian Diaspora, the Maharashtra CM observed that NRIs are our ambassadors in various countries and we should all grow together and make India one of the strongest nations in the world.

Interestingly, Chavan parting shot ended with an unusual salutation.

Digressing from the regular Jai-Hind-Jai-Maharashtra norm accepted by Maharashtra politicians, Chavan ended his speech with Jai Hind, Jai Bharat, Jai Maharashtra, once again declaring his national aspirations.

Image: Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan at the chief ministers' conclave.
Photograph: Rajesh Karkera