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Enron: Pawar fires another salvo

Pawar's reported statement in a section of press that NCP would withdraw from the government if the DF government failed to end the Enron controversy has come as a shock to the Congress-led ruling front especially when the tussle between the United States-based energy giant and the government had reached a flashpoint, political observers in Bombay say.

However, it was not for the first time that Pawar's statement had discomfited the ruling front.

Earlier, the Maratha strongman's criticism of Dr Madhav Godbole, who heads the government's renegotiating panel to resolve the matter with Enron, had led to the latter's resignation creating an awkward situation for the DF.

It was only after the state cabinet, which also has NCP ministers, reposed faith in Godbole, the former bureaucrat agreed to resume his duties.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who continues his tight rope walking over the Enron impasse, when asked about differences between the Congress and the NCP over the issue, said, "If there are any, the DF co-ordination committee is there to settle them."

Pawar, during whose tenure the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was signed with Enron, has put the government in a tight spot by saying he would seek a public explanation from those paying any compensation to Enron in case the power project was scrapped. Deshmukh refused to comment on the issue.

But it is not only over the Enron issue that Pawar was critical of the DF government. In May, he blasted the ruling coalition saying his party was not interested in being part of the government if it was not fulfilling the aspirations of the common man.

Addressing a party conclave at Aurangabad, the former chief minister criticised the government for failing to raise resources to tackle water scarcity in parts of the state.

Making light of Pawar's criticism, the chief minister had then said the latter's comments were aimed at NCP ministers who hold portfolios which are directly involved with scarcity relief and water supplies works.

The Enron Saga

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