PK row: Congress slams Fadnavis for 'lack of control' over ministers

Mumbai: Hitting out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for “lack of control” over his council of ministers as well as “lack of coordination” between them, Congress on Wednesday said the ministers were commenting on various issues just for the sake of publicity. [caption id=“attachment_2025095” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis ruled out any probe into the film ‘PK’. PTI[/caption] Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Manikrao Thakre’s criticism came after Fadnavis on Wednesday ruled out any probe into Aamir Khan-starrer PK, a day after Minister of State for Home Ram Shinde ordered an inquiry into the film’s “content” amidst raging protests, and promised adequate protection for its smooth screening. “Earlier too, Shinde had declared that furlough to actor Sanjay Dutt would be probed, but soon Fadnavis clarified that Dutt, who is serving a jail term for illegally possessing arms, has obtained furlough as per rules,” Thakre said. “All such comments were being made just for publicity and the chief minister has no control over his council of ministers,” Thakre alleged. “The government has nothing to offer to farmers and common man,” he said. Amid protests by right wing groups demanding a ban on the Aamir Khan-starrer movie PK, Shinde had told PTI on Tuesday that he had asked senior police officer Deven Bharti, IG (Law & Order), to look into objectionable scenes, if any, in the film and has promised “necessary” action if any “wrong” is found. “The Censor Board may have found the film fit to be released and hence they cleared it from their end. But after the release, some organisations have objected to some part of the film. Protests have been going on and information from social media suggests that protests against the film may intensify in the days ahead,” Shinde had said. However, talking to reporters on Wednesday, Fadnavis said, “There will be no inquiry. Shows of PK will continue all over Maharashtra and we will provide necessary protection to ensure smooth screening of the film.” MPCC spokesman Sachin Sawant said the issue of lack of control by Fadnavis was not just over the issue of film. “Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announced a white paper on state finances soon after taking over and later the government decided to keep mum. Mungantiwar also announced prohibition in his home district of Chandrapur. Similarly, the government has gone back on its word of making the state free of toll and LBT,” Sawant said. PTI