CM unaware of AICC observers visit

Mumbai, Apr 25 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said he was unaware about the arrival of any AICC observer here in the city although he had read about it in newspapers.

Mr Deshmukh was talking to reporters here after the conclusion of the 31-day-long Budget Session of the state legislature.

Several vernacular dailies today carried news reports that stated that External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister A K Antony would be visiting the city today.

However, sources said the two had postponed their visit.

Meanwhile, Mr Deshmukh, who can boast of being the second chief minister to rule the state for the maximum period, refused to comment on a possible Cabinet expansion.

On the subject of loan waiver for farmers, Mr Deshmukh said the state has urged the Centre to review the loan waiver scheme since the five-acre land holding limit will deprive a large number of farmers, especially from the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, of its benefits.

To a question on whether he would be willing to go to Karnataka to campaign for the party, Mr Deshmukh said he would if asked to do so.

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