On BJP’s state executive meet agenda: Farm loan waiver, Maharashtra’s political scenario | Mumbai news - Hindustan Times
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On BJP’s state executive meet agenda: Farm loan waiver, Maharashtra’s political scenario

Hindustan Times | By
May 18, 2017 11:30 PM IST

BJP’s meeting assumes significance in the wake of a possible reshuffle and expansion of the cabinet next month

A farm loan waiver and Maharashtra’s political scenario are topics that are likely to be discussed during the two-day meet of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) state executive, which begins today. The meet will be held at Ramkrishna More auditorium in Pimpri-Chinchwad, almost 33 years after the party held a meeting in the industrial town.

Around 800 leaders, including party office bearers, ministers in the state government and legislators, are expected to discuss the party’s course of action.(HT File Photo)
Around 800 leaders, including party office bearers, ministers in the state government and legislators, are expected to discuss the party’s course of action.(HT File Photo)

The meeting assumes significance in the wake of reports of a possible reshuffle and expansion of the cabinet next month.

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Around 800 leaders, including party office bearers, ministers in the state government and legislators, are expected to discuss the party’s course of action. Nitin Gadkari, union minister for road transport and highways, will inaugurate the meet at 2 pm after holding a closed-door meeting of the BJP state unit’s office bearers. “Besides Gadkari, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP unit chief Raosaheb Danve will also attend the meeting,” said district guardian minister Girish Bapat.

The BJP plans to counter the Opposition’s demand for a complete loan waiver to farmers by implementing a ‘Sampark Abhiyaan’ from May 26 to June 10. The initiative, in which party workers will reach out to farmers in Maharashtra, marks three years of the Modi government at the Centre.

“The emphasis will be on the government’s endeavours to stem the agrarian crisis and create sustainable development. Party workers will reach out to the farmers and make them aware of the government’s stand,” said Sudhir Mungantiwar, finance minister and member of the state core committee.

The party made a decision to become outspoken about the plight of farmers, keeping in mind the Opposition-led Sangharsh Yatra, which was conducted in two phases. Six Opposition parties had tried to galvanise the farmers to seek a loan waiver. The parties had stalled the house proceedings and boycotted the Assembly for three weeks during the recent budget session.

“We believe that the government has done a lot for farmers. We also have comprehensive plans to bring about sustainable development in the field of agriculture.We will reach out to farmers and garner their support,” said a BJP leader, who did not wish to be identified.

The party will also discuss defectors from other parties, said sources.

By holding the conclave at Pimpri-Chinchwad, about 190km from Mumbai, the party is trying to strategically spread its wings in the city known as state hub of the automobile and information technology industry. The region has special significance for the BJP, as it registered a resounding victory in this Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) stronghold. The BJP made inroads into this town, wresting the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic bodies from the NCP, which had been in power for more than a decade.

The NCP and Shiv Sena — which shares power with BJP at state and Centre — plan to hold protests at the executive meet venue, targeting the BJP for its failure to act on promises it made during the polls.

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