Thursday, February 17 2005 18:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The slum demolition drive in Mumbai, which has been opposed by even some Congressmen, would continue and target only those slums which have come up after the cutoff date of 2000, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said today (Feb 17, 2005).

Talking to reporters after an hour-long meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, he also said the State Government would work out a programme of action for those affected and covered under the manifesto commitments and keeping in mind the CMP (Common Minimum Programme) of UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government at the Centre.

Replying to questions, Deshmukh said the party as also NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) in their joint manifesto had given 2000 as the cutoff date for regularisation of slums and his Government has directed the Municipal corporation of Mumbai to demolish only such slums which have come up later.

Asserting that his Government would focus on the human side of development while carrying out allround development of the city to improve the quality of life, he said the action programme would be only for rehabilitation of those slums which have come up before 2000.

Deshmukh, however, dismissed suggestions that the controversy in the party on the issue was aimed at destabilsing his Government.

"Not at all. Where does the question arise. (The Central leadership has been) very fair to me. They have given me the opportunity for the second time".

Deshmukh, who was accompanied by the Mumbai Regional Congress President Gurudas Kamat during the meeting with Gandhi, saw nothing wrong in partymen approaching her on the issue."She is our leader and whatever she says is our final direction".