February 18: Mumbai Regional Congress Committee president Murli Deora has sought a clarification from state housing minister Sureshdada Jain about his press statement on the Rent Control Act.In a letter dated February 15, Deora said Jain's statement about an annual five per cent increase in the rent was in variance with facts. Jain had stated that the Congress government had proposed an annual hike of five per cent in the standard rent with retrospective effect from 1940. Deora's letter claims that the bill drafted by the Congress government provided that the increase shall be computed from the date of commencement of the act. Deora also threatened Jain that if a clarification was not issued to the press within 24 hours, he would lodge a complaint against him for violation of the code of conduct, as the statement amounted to "a deliberate action on part of the government to distort facts and influence people on the eve of a general election," claimed the letter. Meanwhile, Deora's tenant campaign hasreceived jurist Nani Palkhivala's backing, who exhorted people to vote for him. "Deora has a track record of useful public service and a distinguished career as a corporator, mayor, MLC and MP,"' said a statement.
