Uddhav Thackeray allays MLA concerns

Assures them issues between govt and Shiv Sainiks will be resolved.

Shiv Sena will soon focus on taking a systematic approach towards resolving issues between the government and itself, a senior party leader said on Tuesday. The meeting between the party MLAs, whips and ministers at Matoshree last night was a good start in the direction, he further said.

As promised, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray met party whips, ministers and legislators Monday late evening at Matoshree.

Sources said disgruntled legislators had grievances against health minister Dr Deepak Sawant, industries minister Subhash Desai, minister for transport Diwakar Raote, minister of state for housing Ravindra Waikar and minister of state for water resources Vijay Shivtare.

A party insider revealed that Satara MLA Shambhuraje Desai minced no words while pointing out that Mr Shivtare had helped BJP and NCP legislators in Pune district, while ignoring Sena legislators.

Source revealed that Mr Shivtare even tried to stop Mr Desai from complaining against him during the meeting and tried divert his attention.

Complaints against Dr Sawant included that he had rejected rural health centres across the state as demanded by Sena legislators. Mr Thackeray has taken cognizance of these complaints and asked ministers to respect Sena and Shivsainiks, said a source.

Party insider said that Sena MLAs also griped against BJP ministers and demanded that Sena should quit the BJP government if it’s not given due respect. Mr Thackeray assured them that he would take up their grouses with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The source further revealed that MoS Dada Bhuse, MoS Sanjay Rathod, MoS Deepak Kesarkar, Gulabrao Patil and Arjun Khotkar assured Mr Thackeray that they would resign from the Cabinet if Sena MLAs and Mr Thackeray were insulted by the BJP.

One of the legislator pointed out that Sena ministers should have resigned then itself when BJP failed to invite Mr Thackeray for Dr B.R. Ambedkar memorial function. “It was decided to have a dialogue between MLAs and ministers through party whips. MLAs will place their demands to whip who will then follow up with the ministers,” confirmed party whip and MLC Dr Neelam Gorhe.