Mumbai: With the crucial Assem-bly session set to begin from Monday, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to have reason to breathe easy as a split in the Opposition became apparent on Sunday. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) boycotted the opposition meeting over passing congratulatory resolutions related to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
Meanwhile, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that he is ready for a discussion on any issue and is not worried about possible attacks from the Opposition. “We are ready for a debate on any issue. We will start issuing forms to farmers for loan waiver. We are ready to discuss the loan waiver issue also,” said Mr Fadnavis.
Before Mr Fadnavis made his comments, it was decided that, with Mr Pawar completing 50 years in public life, both houses of the state legislature would pass a resolution congratulating him. However, Congress leaders insisted they pass a resolution for Mrs Gandhi too, as it is her birth centenary year.
Congress group leader Sharad Ranpise wrote to Council chairman demanding to take Mrs Gandhi’s resolution first and then adjourn the house. The NCP felt this was an attempt by Congress to reduce the importance of Mr Pawar and decided to boycott the opposition meeting.
“We have always maintained that the opposition must work in union and have even taken initiative for it. But if they (Congress) are going to take decisions without taking us into confidence, then may be they do not need our help and cooperation,” said NCP’s Maharashtra unit chief Sunil Tatkare.
“If the Congress has an independent position against the government, then even we can present our position against the government independently,” he added.
Congress, on the other hand, claims innocence.
“Maybe one should ask the NCP whether they trust us or not? I don’t know the reason behind NCP’s separate programme. They might have different issues that they want to raise. It is up to them to tell why they didn’t attend the meeting,” said Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Leader of Oppo-sition in the Assembly.
