Centre-state governments not releasing funds for Shirdi shrine, says Chavan

Shirdi: The Central and state governments have not only cheated people but also Sai Baba by not releasing funds for a Rs 3,000 crore project to develop his shrine at Shirdi alleged Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan.

Chavan said the project was sanctioned during the samadhi centenary celebration but neither the state nor Centre had given even a single rupee so far. However funds of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST) were being used by the government for its own schemes, he said.

He hit out at the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and called it the "B team" of the BJP, alleging that it was choosing candidates to help the ruling party.

Chavan said the speeches of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray would have an impact and prove damaging for the BJP.

Speaking about Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, the Maharashtra Congress chief said he had received complaints about the former campaigning for BJP candidates. These complaints would be passed on to the Congress president for further action, he said. The Congress has said that Vikhe Patil had resigned as leader of opposition.