Govt plays up on differences within opposition

Mumbai: The state government will be playing up the differences within the already miniscule opposition as it prepares for the budget session of the legislative assembly. This was clear after the way in which the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Ministers attacked the opposition at the press conference on the eve of the session on Sunday.

“The opposition has lost a good chance to initiate dialogues with the new government by boycotting the tea party,” CM Fadnavis said while initiating the attack against the opposition. “In the letter they’ve sent to us they have accused us of beong non communication. But, they themselves have boycotted the tea party and closed options to initiate dialogue,” he pointed out.

DCM Eknath Shinde went a step ahead to say that “they have written a nine-page letter which appears like they have raised all the issues here in the letter which we expected them to discuss in the house.” Fadnavis added that most of the allegations against the government levelled in the letter are based on ‘news stories on TV’. “Had they cared to find truth on the allegations they wouldn’t have been able to write even a half pager,” he commented. However, he also added that the government doesn’t underestimate the opposition, though they couldn’t come together even for the pre-session meeting.

Shinde accused the media of levelling charges against the government without verifying facts. Taking the cue, CM Fadnavis made it clear that while inquiry has been ordered in the case raised by the French company, even such companies won’t be spared if it is revealed that they have not followed the work ethics.

While replying to questions CM Fadnavis made it clear that, “The Government shall spare none on the issues like defaming Chhatrapati Shivaji.” But, he also added, “We don’t want to learn about greatness of Shivaji Maharaj from those who have been praising Aurangajeb and running ambulances in the name of terrorists like Ishrat Jahan.”

Fadnavis also said that the government wants the house to run full time and have maximum debate and deliberations over issues of the people. “I’ve asked the speaker to ensure more time for first time and junior MLAs so that they would be able to raise issue from their constituencies,” he added.

The budget session shall have two deliberations, one dedicated to Women’s empowerment in order to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary year Ahilyadevi Holkar and the other to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Constitution of India, the CM said. He also added that with one pending bill, five new bills including those on revenue, highways and hotels will be presented in the session apart from the annual budget.

We shall present a balance budget that shall have no adverse impact on capital expenditure and on the flagship schemes of the state government, he added.

The present downsizing of beneficiaries in case of MMLBY scheme too is because of the limits imposed by the CAG, the CM said adding, “Else Maharashtra is unique state in the country that has maximum number of beneficiaries under such schemes.”