MUMBAI, August 12: In the golden jubilee year of Indian Independence, Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, it seems, is rediscovering his own freedom. He went ``missing'' for two hours on Monday even as senior leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal, Vyankappa Patki, assembly speaker Dattaji Nalawade and deputy chairman of the council N S Pharande waited for him at the council hall, where he was supposed to participate in a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting.

A visibly embarrassed Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde and his cabinet colleague Gajanan Kirtikar made frantic calls to the CM's office and his official residence `Varsha'. Attempts to reach him on his mobile too failed.

The BAC meeting was convened by presiding officers of both the houses of state legislature to chalkout the programme for August 15. Not to miss an opportunity, Bhujbal accused the chief minister of not taking his official duties seriously.

``I feel that his approach was casual...he did not bother even to inform the speaker about his absence of the meeting,'' Bhujbal added. Till late in the evening on Monday, nobody had any idea where the chief minister, who is known for his punctuality, had gone for two hours.

However, Joshi today denied that he was missing for two hours. ``I did not attend the meeting as I had no invitation for the same,'' Joshi told media persons. When it was pointed out that he could not be contacted on the phone also, Joshi said, ``Since I was reading the book authored by Governor P C Alexander, I had asked my office not to disturb me. I received the message from speaker Dattaji Nalawade very late.''

But then, can you blame a chief minister, ever tied to a remote control, for snatching a few hours for himself?

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.