Maharashtra politics: CM Eknath Shinde asks where is the Oppn after tea party boycott

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde along with Dy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis and other leaders at Sahyadri guest house for the customary tea party on Sunday. Pic/Ashish Raje

As the Ajit Pawar faction extended an olive branch to Sharad Pawar, regretting his rebellion and requesting the senior leader to keep the Nationalist Congress Party intact, the Opposition boycotted the Chief Minister's customary tea party on the eve of the Monsoon session of the State Legislature. The session will see interesting developments over the recent split in the NCP, and a year-old break-up between Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray that continues to resonate in the lower house.

This will be the first session after Ajit Pawar split the NCP on July 2. Neither he nor the rival faction has informed the house about the split, but have written letters to certain authorities and served notices. In this view, Chief Minister Shinde claimed support of 210 MLAs, but it remained to be seen whether the government counts that much on its side, because the Sharad Pawar faction has asked the Speaker to allow its MLAs, barring newly-inducted ministers, to sit on the opposition benches.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his fellow NCP rebels at YB Chavan Centre on Sunday. Pic/Ashish Raje

In yet another development ahead of the session, the Congress scrambled to claim the Opposition leader's post that NCP's Jitendra Awhad has been holding, after Ajit Pawar shifted to the government. If a sizeable number of NCP MLAs sits on the opposition side, the party may save its position.

Opposition leader in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve announced a boycott, calling the government an illegal, tainted and corrupt dispensation that engaged only in power games instead of working for the people. He said corruption issues will be raised in both houses. Awhad could not attend the press conference because he was called to be present when Ajit Pawar had gone to meet Sharad Pawar.

Shinde's question

Shinde questioned the Opposition's existence. "They are confused and have lost confidence. They have been saying anything except the issues of public welfare. The government is answerable to the opposition and we expect them to question us in whatever wrong we have done," he said, adding that he did not undermine the opposition despite its depletion. Dy CM Ajit Pawar said the government will not enforce its majority on the opposition. "The Opposition should remain present in the house. All the ministers will do their jobs responsibly," he said.

Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis mocked the Opposition's letter to the government as a 'granth' (book). "It looks like a compilation of calling attention notices. The opposition doesn't understand the state issues," he said, calling out the political rivals for false allegations. He said the state's ranking in FDI was number one in the country and second in education in the last one year. Shinde also announced that a committee will probe corruption allegations made in Mumbai's street furniture purchase. Sena (UBT) is expected to raise this matter.

NCP (SP) trick

Making matters interesting, NCP (Sharad Pawar) requested Speaker Rahul Narvekar to allow its MLAs, barring the nine ministers, to sit on opposition benches instead of the treasury benches. The division is expected to be seen physically and documented on Monday for further references in the legal battles. The faction that has asked the Speaker to disqualify nine ministers after they were sworn in, has served show cause notices to 12 more MLAs. But it has not issued any specific whip (instruction), except a customary advice, asking all legislators to be present during the session.