Ajit Pawar says governor has invited him and CM to discuss council seats; Raj Bhavan denies

MUMBAI: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said that Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has invited him and chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to discuss the row over the nomination of eminent persons on the state legislative council. A high-ranking Raj Bhavan official, however, denied any such proposal.
After the swearing-in of Justice V M Kanade as Lokayukta, Ajit Pawar, along with Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and chief secretary Sitaram Kunte had a brief meeting with Koshyari.“During the meeting, I raised the issue of delay in the nomination of experts on the council. The governor then suggested to us to meet next week to discuss the row over the nominations. Certainly, as suggested by the governor, we will meet him,” Pawar said in Pune.
The Raj Bhavan official said Pawar, Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray did meet the governor, but there was no specific commitment on a meeting with Koshyari to discuss the nominations. “There was general discussion where the CM and Dy CM exchanged pleasantries,” the official said.
After the critical observations of the Bombay high court on the delay in nominations, no decision has been taken so far on the future course of action. “The high court has expressed its view, and there are no specific directions. As per the provisions of the Constitution, no timeframe has been fixed for taking a decision on the recommendation of the cabinet,” the official said.
Disposing of a PIL filed by an activist, the HC had on August 14 said the governor must discuss the matter with the CM. The governor has to take a decision either way, he can accept or reject recommendations; however, he should take a decision in a reasonable time. The NCP had then said it hoped better sense would prevail and Raj Bhavan would take an early decision.