Devendra Fadnavis defends move to skip tea party, says PM meet important

New Delhi: Facing Opposition ire for deciding to skip the customary tea party on eve of Legislature session, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said the

meeting called by Prime Minister on Planning Commission was an important event that would benefit his state.

He also slammed chief ministers of some states who have decided to keep away from the meeting on restructuring Planning Commission.

"I do not know why they are skipping the meeting. But, the Prime Minister's meeting is very important. If they are skipping the meeting, it is not going to benefit their states," Fadnavis said.

He was asked about reports of some Chief Ministers keeping away from the meeting here today to discuss the structure, scope and role of the new body that will replace the Planning Commission.

The meeting is being chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On criticisms by opposition parties in Maharashtra that he was insulting opposition parties by not attending the customary tea party on the eve of Legislature session, Fadnavis stressed that the Prime Minister's meeting was very important.

"The Prime Minister has called for a meeting to discuss an important issue. I need to attend it for the benefit of my state. If we are not going to participate, then we are at loss," the Chief Minister noted.

Fadnavis was slammed by the opposition Congress and NCP for deciding not to attend the tea party, with both parties accusing him of "insulting" them by deciding to skip the function.