16.6.17

Rumblings in Maharashtra Government

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is prepared for midterm polls and expressed confidence that it will return to power in the state, an apparent response to alliance partner Shiv Sena which has been threatening to pull out of the ruling coalition. “When the farmers' agitation was on, some were talking about bringing down the government or withdrawing support. The BJP is ready for midterm polls. If anyone wants to pull out support to the government and go for fresh elections, then we are ready for it. We will come back to power after the elections,“ Fadnavis told media persons on Wednesday night.

The Shiv Sena has been threatening since the civic elections in March that it may withdraw support to the BJP government.

The CM said that the BJP's performance in the recent panchayat, municipal council and municipal corporation polls shows that the party will come back to power.“The victories that we have got are unprecedented. Even the Congress-NCP , when they were in power, did not get such a result. This itself shows that the people have faith in us.“ Reacting to the CM's statement, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday , “All this talk of midterm polls is being used to divert attention from the issue of farmers' loan waiver. The BJP , it seems, has a lot of money to be used in the elections. They should give the money to the farmers.“ Thackeray said that the BJP would not need to worry about a midterm poll if the farmers in the state were given a complete loan waiver. He warned that the Sena will bring about a “political earthquake“ if the farmers' demands are not met.

Amid the sparring between the Shiv Sena and the BJP, BJP president Amit Shah is likely to visit Thackeray when he arrives in Maharashtra for a three-day trip. Shah is likely to visit Matoshree, the residence of Thackeray, and hold discussions on the presidential election.

No comments: