Maharashtra govt braces for stormy winter session

The Opposition parties, led by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress, boycotted the customary tea party hosted by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday to protest against the “government’s failure” to address issues related to farmers’ suicides, inadequate prices for farm produce and demonetisation.

The two-week winter session of the state legislature, which is set to start from Monday, is likely to be stormy.

(From Left) Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, industries minister Subhash Desai and education minister Vinod Tawde in Nagpur on Sunday. (SUNNY SHENDE)

The Opposition parties, led by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress, boycotted the customary tea party hosted by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday to protest against the “government’s failure” to address issues related to farmers’ suicides, inadequate prices for farm produce and demonetisation.

The NCP-Congress combine will also look to pin down the government over allegations of corruption against its ministers.

Read: Fadnavis asks administration to prepare roadmap for cashless economy

Fadnavis, meanwhile, sought cooperation from the Opposition in both the Houses and pledged to provide relief to farmers who have been facing problems because of demonetisation.

He said his government was ready for a constructive discussion on all issues on the floor of the House. “We are ready to show the opposition what the government has done in the last two years and will also share the roadmap for remaining three years,” Fadnavis said after holding a cabinet meeting here at his official residence, Ramgiri.

“If the opposition makes any valid point we will address it. But if they behave immaturely and talk of cartoon characters, it will be a sad state of affairs for the Maharashtra legislature,” said Fadnavis.

Buoyed by BJP’s and its ally Shiv Sena’s electoral performance in the municipal council and MLC elections, Fadnavis said people are with the government on demonetisation as they are facing all hardships in national interest.

If they (opposition) play a constructive role, we can together address problems of people from Vidarbha and Marathwada to whom this session is dedicated, he said. He denied the charge that the farm sector was in dire straits because of demonetisation.

The chief minister said reports on rabi crops were encouraging as 78% of sowing was completed which was the highest in the last five years. Similarly, the Kharif harvest was excellent and 35% of produce has already reached the market and all transactions were taking place normally.

The leader of opposition in legislative Assembly, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and his counterpart in legislative council, Dhananjay Munde, said they will chalk out a strategy on how to proceed on various issue by Monday morning.

The farmers, farm labourers, tribal, backward class and minorities are feeling unsafe in the saffron regime, Patil and Munde said, adding that there was a demand for reconstruction of crop loans but nothing has been done. Farmers’ suicides have not stopped, they alleged.

Munde and Patil said the government has misled Dhangar, Muslim and Maratha communities, which led to the reservation protests across the state.

The rural economy is on the verge of collapse, they said. Other Opposition leaders Vijay Wadettiwar, Sanjay Dutt (both Congress), Jayant Patil (NCP) and Jogendra Kawade (PRP) have signed a letter that was sent to the chief minister, boycotting the tea party.