Mumbai:
Even as Parliament remains stalled over Opposition's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G scam, the Maharashtra Assembly witnessed something similar. Here, the Opposition wants a Joint Legislative Committee to probe the Adarsh scam.
Protesting MLAs even walked out of the House, unhappy with Maharashtra government's decision to set up a judicial inquiry into the Adarsh scam.
The Opposition argues that in a judicial inquiry the scope of the probe is decided by the government. A joint legislative committee with representation from all parties will be able to investigate with more freedom, they say.
"We expected more from this government, but it is offering only a cover-up," said Eknath Khadse, Leader of the Opposition, Maharashtra Assembly.
The spotlight of the day remained on Ashok Chavan, the sacked Chief Minister who is named in the scam.
In an elaborate clarification Ashok Chavan said that he is the victim of a 'pick-and-choose' conspiracy. Chavan said he was not Chief Minister during the crucial period between 1999 and 2004 when Adarsh Society received maximum benefits and illegal clearances.
This is a clear reference to the two former Congress CMs and now Union ministers - Sushilkumar Shinde and Vilasrao Deshmukh who have so far escaped scrutiny.
The spectrum of the Adarsh probe is already mammoth with a judicial inquiry, a CBI probe, an internal Defence investigation, an FIR on lost documents and a notice to bureaucrats.
Now the Bombay High Court has also set tough conditions. It has asked Adarsh Society on what terms and conditions the state allotted land to it; whether its building clearances were in order and was the plot ever in possession of Defence authorities.
With pressure building at all levels, the noose around the accused politicians, bureaucrats and Defence personnel tightens.