Adarsh controversy: Chavan in Delhi to meet Sonia

NEW DELHI - Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan arrived here Saturday to meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi over the controversy surrounding Mumbai’s Adarsh housing society meant for families of Kargil martyrs.

The names of Chavan’s mother-in-law and two other relatives have come up as beneficiaries in the housing society.

Congress sources said the chief minister was called here to seek an explanation over his role in the controversy by the party leadership.

Chavan is expected to meet Sonia Gandhi and Defence Minister A.K. Antony, party in charge of Maharashtra.

He had Friday denied that any of his immediate family members were involved in the controversial Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society, and rejected calls for his resignation.

The party has distanced itself from Chavan, saying it was not holding brief for anyone who might be responsible.

Party spokesman Manish Tewari said an inquiry had been ordered by the defence minister.

“We do not want to shield anyone’s misdemeanour or indiscretion…Let us await the outcome of the inquiry,” he said.

The controversy erupted as the elite list of beneficiaries includes politicians, former chiefs of services, bureaucrats and their kin. But some ex-service chiefs have said they would return the flats as they weren’t aware that they were meant for Kargil war widows.