Centre deliberately denying power to Maharashtra: CM Prithviraj Chavan

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Monday alleged that the Central government was denying power from the central grids deliberately, and blamed the BJP-led NDA government for the power crisis in the state.

Launching Congress's campaign for the assembly elections, Chavan said he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to convene a meeting of all the Chief Ministers to discuss the power situation.

"If the Centre does not take any steps, there will be severe power crisis in the country. Though the Centre is attempting to put Maharashtra government in trouble by not allocating electricity from the central grid, we will not allow our people to be affected. The state will do everything possible to ensure that people get electricity," Chavan said, addressing a Congress workers' meeting at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

Chavan said the report card of first 100 days of the Modi government was "dismal". "Except inaugurating projects, started and completed by the UPA, it has done nothing, including not controlling prices and not adopting a hardline Pakistan policy. There are several instances of ceasefire violations from across the border, but those at the helm of affairs are quiet," he said.

He also alleged that the Centre-state relations which were protected by Congress are in danger. "Centre-state relations which were protected by Congress are in danger. At official functions, Chief Minister is humiliated by not being allowed to speak in the Prime Minister's presence. People of Maharashtra will not tolerate this insult to the Chief Minister," Chavan said.