Congress-NCP seek to ‘expose’ Shiv Sena over Vidarbha issue

Aiming to “expose” the Shiv Sena, opposition Congress and NCP will bring in non-government motion in favour of a United Maharashtra in both Houses of the state legislature on Wednesday. The opposition alleges that the Sena had initially signed a draft of the motion after lending its support to it, but had later refused to join with the opposition following a telephonic dialogue between chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

The second day of the last week of ongoing Monsoon Session was full of drama. Following Monday’s political drama over a United Maharashtra, Congress and NCP decided not to ask permission about having a debate on a separate Vidarbha state and the government’s stand on it. Instead, they decided to move a motion to pass a unanimous resolution in favour of a United Maharashtra in both the Houses. “We knew that if we ask permission of debate, the chief minister would permit it, but the result will be zero from the debate,” said Dhananjay Munde, Leader of Opposition in state Legislative Council.

A meeting was held at NCP leader Jayant Patil’s cabin on Vidhan Bhavan premises in the morning, which was attended by Sena minister Ramdas Kadam and LoP in the Lower House, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, along with Prithviraj Chavan.

“An early draft of the single-line motion, ‘This House is passing the resolution of United Maharashtra for which 105 martyrs had lost their lives’ which was to be brought in both Houses, was signed by Congress and NCP legislators and Sena legislator Vijay Auti.” former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters.

According to Mr Chavan, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray called him in the morning before the business of the House began. “Mr Thackeray told me his party will support Congress if we will bring a motion on United Maharashtra,” said Mr Chavan.

However, he refused to disclose details of the conversation between the leaders. He said he had spoken to Mr Thackeray twice since Monday evening.

“Something happened behind the curtains, I am not sure, but may be Sena feared the CM would expose their illegal issues in the BMC, and this resulted in the Sena taking a U-turn and refusing to sign on the non-government motion. Even Mr Auti scratched out his signature on the earlier draft of the motion,” said Mr Chavan.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed Mr Chavan asked for support from Mr Thackeray but he was denied the same and was told the Sena is satisfied with the CM’s reply. Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has instructed party legislators to stand behind a United Maharashtra motion.