MVA works to cushion itself in both houses
Given the fact that many non-NDA state governments have been ambushed by BJP’s central leadership, the Maharashtra ruling front has been taking precaution to try and checkmate such moves. Sources say it has also been taking care to sort out divergent views through consultations.
by CL Manoj
New Delhi: The latest talk of ‘instability’ of the Maharashtra coalition government amid the Covid-19 crisis, ironically, coincides with the consolidation of the Shiv Sena-BJP-Congress alliance against BJP in the second chamber of the state legislature. Six months after it was outmanoeuvered in the legislative assembly by the dramatic coming together of the three parties, BJP is set to witness further consolidation of the ruling alliance on June 12, when the governor will nominate 12 members recommended by the alliance government — four nominees each of the three partners — to the upper House.
The increasing aggression and belligerence of the state BJP thus coincides with its ‘splendid isolation’ despite being the largest party in both the Houses. Coalition sources say this “is only one of the three factors” that would make the state BJP increasingly edgy. “Periodically floating of the balloon of instability is actually meant as a smokescreen to hide the haplessness and rifts in the state BJP”, said a senior coalition leader.
Given the fact that many non-NDA state governments have been ambushed by BJP’s central leadership, the Maharashtra ruling front has been taking precaution to try and checkmate such moves. Sources say it has also been taking care to sort out divergent views through consultations.
It is learnt the coalition has been cultivating over 30 BJP MLAs, including some who crossed over from NCP-Congress ahead of polls. “But for the compulsion to ensure uncontested election of the CM (Thackeray) in the recent Council polls, we would have forced a contest and exposed cross-voting of BJP MLAs,” said a senior leader, pointing out how Congress’ plan to field an extra candidate to force an election was called off at the last minute.
Sources said leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis was indulging in “hyper sloganeering” only to divert focus from the multiple crisis “closer home”. Apart from the stigma of his failed bid for a second term as CM, they say, the tussle within the state BJP involving Fadnavis, Chandrakant Patil, Eknath Khadse, Ashish Shelar, Vinod Tawde and Pankaja Munde has not only turned the state BJP into a divided house but has also acquired a ‘Brahmin Vs Maratha angle’. “Our government and the coalition are working smoothly. The real crisis is for the leadership of Fadnavis and within the faction-ridden state BJP. No matter how hard they try to hide, these internal tussles of BJP are bound to play out in the open,” said senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut.
His thoughts were echoed by Congress minister Nitin Raut , who told ET: “Our government is working smoothly and we will complete our term. But Fadnavis is becoming tired and impatient due to his greed for power and also due to his inability to deal with the raging infighting in state BJP. He should be realistic and cooperate with the government’s fight against Covid-19.”
On speculation of PM Modi and home minister Amit Shah working for a regime change in Mumbai, a senior coalition leader summed it up thus: “The narrative starts with Fadnavis toppling the Thackeray government. Then, it becomes how Fadnavis is sounded out by Delhi for the post of Union finance minister, Fadnavis outsourcing the toppling job to the governor, Modiji and Amit Shah and, finally, how Fadnavis is holding back because the PM and HM are wooing both Uddhavji and Pawar Saheb. It is a roller-coaster ride to nowhere.”