Mumbai: After leading the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) to triumph in the recent elections for civic bodies and Zilla Parishads and ensuring the stability of his government by avoiding a clash with Shiv Sena, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is confident of facing the coming budget session of the State Assembly. Calling the opposition “issueless and frustrated”, on the eve of the session on Sunday, Mr Fadnavis has indicated he is prepared to take on the already weak opposition.
On Sunday, after chairing the Cabinet meeting, Mr Fadnavis informed the media about business that his government is going to put before both Houses.
He said, “Twenty-three bills will be tabled before both Houses in this month-long session. Also there are three bills pending on the floor of each House. We are ready to debate on any issue that the opposition is going to raise.”
Mr Fadnavis is relaxed now as the issue of his government’s survival is almost settled for now. By withdrawing from the mayoral election in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Council (BMC), he ensured stability for his government.
As it is apparent that both saffron parties have sheathed their swords for now, the opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party leaders have started alleging the BJP and the Sena have fooled the people. Replying to the opposition’s allegations, Mr Fadnavis said, “The opposition is frustrated. The people have rejected them in elections also,” he said. However, he didn’t forget to add that he would work with the opposition also to ensure the progress of the state.
Transparency battle
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena ministers have again raised the issue of ‘transparency’ in the Cabinet. Environment minister Ramdas Kadam said, “After the Cabinet meeting our delegation demanded transparency to be brought in all civic bodies as well as in the state Cabinet. We have also demanded the CM to write to the President and PM for amendment in law for making Cabinet meetings open for public.” Asked about the Sena ministers’ resignation threat to the government, Mr Kadam said, “Now we have kept our resignation papers out of our pockets.”
