By Kartik Lokhande
Witnessing a role reversal of major political alliances in
Maharashtra after a long span of 15 years, the State Legislature’s winter
session was expected to be stormy. However, as seen in the first week that
passed by, BJP-Sena alliance appeared to be more confident to be back in the
Government compared to Congress and NCP that are still faltering playing the
role of the Opposition.
Throughout the week, the leading ruling partner BJP became
more and more confident with each passing day. Just before facing its first
full-fledged session of State Legislature, it was successful in getting the
estranged partner back in the fold. As a result, the new Government with
various partners projected itself as united. In contrast, Congress and NCP that
ruled Maharashtra for 15 years in alliance, did not appear to have come to
terms that they were in the Opposition. More than the Government, the game of one-upmanship
was being played aggressively in the Opposition.
This was clear a day prior to the commencement of winter
session. Congress and NCP, instead of coming together to form a strong
Opposition, held separate press conferences and did not even co-ordinate with
each other to formulate strategy. The game continued throughout the week. And,
in this game, NCP scored over Congress quite well. Congress tried to extend its
hand towards NCP, but the latter remained indifferent. This affected the floor
management of the Opposition in Legislative Assembly. Obviously, this proved to
be advantageous for the ruling BJP-Sena combine.
The biggest loser in this week was Congress, the party that
was leading ruling partner in the Government for past 15 years. Though it has
got big names like former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Group Leader Radhakrishna Patil, Deputy Leader Vijay
Wadettiwar and others, most of them could not show their aggression through convincing
legislative performance. Wadettiwar tried to give some edge to the Congress
side in the Opposition, but he could not find equally aggressive supporter
within his party.
NCP took advantage of this and got into ‘we are Opposition’
mode quick. Former Deputy Chief Minister and NCP Group Leader Ajit Pawar held a
meeting of all MLAs and asked them to participate in the legislative business,
ask questions to the Government. Pawar and another seasoned leader Chhagan
Bhujbal, also a former Deputy Chief Minister, made it a point to sit through
legislative business in the House and led the charge on the Government. As a result,
NCP was successful in projecting itself as the main voice of Opposition despite
having a seat less than Congress.
Of course, NCP did not stop at this. While the Congress
continued to stake claim for the post of Leader of Opposition, NCP moved a step
further and pushed its claim. NCP even nominated former Deputy Chief Minister R
R Patil for the post of Leader of Opposition. Of course, it is for the Speaker
to take final decision and he is yet to announce it. Working without Leader of
Opposition in the House is another advantage for the ruling dispensation. There
is widespread discontent in Congress camp over lack of aggression in its leadership,
and they too were seen singing praise for NCP leadership outside the House. One
important point in this regard was suspension of MLAs. The Government had
suspended five Congress MLAs in the previous short session, but there was no aggression
in Congress leadership. Again, in contrast, when the Government suspended NCP
MLA Jitendra Awhad a couple of days ago, entire NCP camp declared its decision not
to participate in the House proceedings. Congress leadership’s lackluster performance
has badly affected the confidence level of MLAs in party camp, while aggressive
stand taken by NCP has boosted the confidence of its MLAs.
Against the infighting between Congress and NCP that has resulted
into a weak Opposition, BJP and Shiv Sena had been successful in consolidating the
ruling side. Irrespective of pre-poll differences, both the parties have come
together on common ideological plank. Congress and NCP both tried to mount
pressure on the new Government over the issue of farmers, but the BJP-Sena
combine proposed discussion on drought situation and outsmarted the Opposition
parties. Not only this, but the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an
unexpected relief package focusing on short-term and long-term measures to
tackle drought, leaving the Opposition parties in a fix. Fadnavis and his
ministers confidently replied to the debates on law and order situation, power and
industry scenes.
Throughout the session, Fadnavis burnt midnight’s oil to
work out reform path in various sectors. Though most of his plans may come out
gradually, he indicated his commitment to reforms through his replies to
debates especially on drought, and law and order situation.
As far as second week is concerned, whether NCP decides to
participate in the House proceedings will decide if there is voice to
Opposition. If Congress still fails to come out of shock of losing the
elections, it will be facing a bigger loss of face even sitting on the
Opposition benches. The most important business of the week starting Monday will
be release of Kelkar Committee report on regional imbalances and balanced
development of State. How the partners in ruling alliance and Opposition react
to the contents of the report, which has proposed various measures to remove
backlog of Vidarbha, will set the course of politics at least for next few
months.
(14-12-14)
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