Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday dismissed speculations of conflict within the Mahayuti — comprising the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena — and maintained that all partners are working unitedly.
Addressing the media along with his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, ahead of the Budget session of the state Assembly commencing from Monday, Fadnavis said, “There is no war. Those who know both of us (him and Shinde) will remember what we do when we are together.” He was pointing to their meetings before Shinde’s rebellion split the undivided Shiv Sena and sunk the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in 2022.
“It is just that Fadnavis and I have swapped our chairs. Only Ajit Pawar’s chair is fixed,” said Shinde, who was the CM before the assembly elections with Fadnavis and Pawar as his deputies then.
Pawar came up with the repartee, “What can I do if you couldn’t keep your chair,” sending all three into peals of laughter.
When asked about his “don’t take me lightly” remark, Shinde said he had already clarified that it was directed at those who took him lightly and how he taught them a lesson, in a veiled reference to Uddhav Thackeray.
‘Law will prevail’
In response to the Opposition mounting pressure in government for the resignation of NCP ministers Dhananjay Munde and Manikrao Kokate, CM said, “We have already clarified stand on Munde. On Kokate, the matter is before the court. If the final order from court refuses to stay his conviction, he will have to resign. If the court stays his conviction, the question will not arise. All decisions will be within the framework of laws in consultation with Ajit Pawar.”
Munde’s close aide Walmik Karad is arrested in a case linked to the murder of Beed district’s Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in December 2024. Kokate was convicted on February 20 on charges, including cheating and forgery, in a case pending over 30 years that relates to acquiring flats under the discretionary quota of the chief minister meant for the economically weaker sections.
Targets Opposition
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Taking a jibe at the Opposition for boycotting the tea party hosted by the government, Fadnavis said, “The customary tea party was an opportunity they should have availed of to play the role of a constructive opposition. Strangely, they have presented us a nine-page memorandum listing out instances compiled from media reports. Had they gone through our clarifications, it would have reduced to just half a page. Even there, the Opposition was divided.”
The CM added that despite lower numbers in Opposition, the government will not rush the Budget session, which will last for four weeks. “We expect debates and discussions on legislation, issues of public importance. Finance Minister Ajit Pawar will present a balanced budget. There will be no roll back on flagship schemes such as Ladki Bahin Yojna despite financial stress,” he said.
On similar lines, Pawar also said, “Just because we have majority 237 MLAs and Opposition is just 50 MLAs, we will not exercise our political prowess. We will respond to all the questions and discussions raised by the Opposition in the House.”
Audit of works
The CM said that the third party Quality Council of India will conduct a thorough audit from taluka to state department levels to ascertain the work progress and shortcomings. “We will have a bench mark with negative index for non-performing assets,” he said.
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He also appealed to media to put the government version as well when it comes to reporting on infighting within government or projects stayed. “When any matter comes to us, it is referred to the department concerned for verifying the facts. It does not mean certain project held by alliance minister is suspended or it is a case of differences between CM and his deputies,” he said.
On the recent order by the Bombay High Court that stayed the cancellation of Mumbai Metro consultancy contract to French firm Systra, Shinde, who holds urban development ministry, said, “In its letter, Systra has not levelled any corruption charges. If they had any issue with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), it should have been raised with CM and me as urban development minister. But they furnished the letter to resident commissioner in Delhi.”
Rubbishes Raut’s claim
The CM and his deputies also rubbished Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s claim about Shinde meeting Union Minister Amit Shaha at 4 am in Pune to complain against Fadnavis. Fadnavis said he too was present in the meeting.
“There was once upon a time a Sanjay who destroyed Kauravas. And this Sanjay seems to be destroying his own party,” said Shinde. “I was also present in that meeting. We met Shah at 10 am for brief,” said Pawar.
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Raut in his weekly column Rokhthok in the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana on Sunday claimed the meeting took place at a hotel in Pune’s Koregaon Park on February 22. Shinde who is a “leader of 57 MLAs” had to stay awake till 4 am to meet Shah, he claimed.
(with PTI)