Yet again, cracks surface in saffron alliance

Discontent between the Shiv Sena and its ally of 20 years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), came to the fore on Tuesday when Sena legislator Diwakar Raote objected to the way the proceedings of the legislative council were being conducted, reports Pradip Kumar Maitra.

Discontent between the Shiv Sena and its ally of 20 years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), came to the fore on Tuesday when Sena legislator Diwakar Raote objected to the way the proceedings of the legislative council were being conducted.

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Raote expressed discontent over the interruption of regular proceedings to accommodate a resolution congratulating senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari for his appointment as BJP president.

Raote’s objections came a day after Sena leader Ramdas Kadam criticised the BJP, saying the party indulged in horse-trading in the recent legislative council elections. Kadam said he preferred a ‘generous enemy over a conspiring friend’.

He was referring to the BJP, which fielded senior legislator Madhu Chavan against Kadam in the council elections.

Raote also objected to certain bills being passed on Monday in the absence of some Opposition members. This, Raote claimed, was done despite an understanding that only three bills would be taken up for discussion that day.

The bills were on Monday's agenda but were not tabled because the ministers concerned were absent.

The Sena legislator said this manner of conducting proceedings would set a bad precedent. Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh, in response to this, made certain remarks that members from both the sides objected to.

Agitated members forced the House to be adjourned. In a rare move, Deputy Chairman Vasant Davkhare, who was in the Chair, asked for the expunging of Deshmukh’s remarks.