The ruling trio, Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress, have arrived at a consensus that they need to have a comprehensive strategy to counter the attacks by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Shiv Sena Member of the Parliament (MP) Sanjay Raut said the matter was discussed at the one hour meeting held between Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday. “There are one-sided attacks and false allegations being made. Confusion is being created amongst the people and the media is being used. Fake narratives are being portrayed as true. Such a system is being implemented that even Joseph Goebbels would be ashamed of,” said Raut. "There are allegations in politics, but there are some limitations. And, for that, the government needs to come up with a strategy,” said Raut.
Raut’s statement came in the wake of BJP’s demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Transport Minister Anil Parab based on the corruption charges made by the dismissed police officer Sachin Vaze. In addition, Raut’s statement also coincided with BJP targeting former home minister Anil Deshmukh and Shiv Sena Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Pratap Sarnaik against the backdrop of the ongoing inquiries by the Enforcement Directorate.
“The central investigation agency is the only weapon in the hands of the opposition in Maharashtra. If the allegations are false, the state government's mechanism to investigate them is strong and impartial. As there is a BJP government at the centre, the only power in their hands is to harass the ministers and MLAs of Maharashtra by using the central machinery. We have to take a step forward to fight all this,” said Raut.
On the other hand, Pawar said, "No politics was discussed. Our view is that some decisions need to be taken fast. My meeting with the CM was to deliberate on how to expedite the state government's development programmes. There was no political discussion." Pawar’s meeting took place against the backdrop pertaining to the speculated differences among the Maha Vikas Aghadi partners.
Asked about the election for the post of assembly speaker, Pawar said the MVA allies will discuss the candidate suggested by the Congress and take a decision.
"When the MVA government was formed, the speaker's post went to the Congress. Whichever candidate's name the Congress gives, it should be finalised by all the allies after discussion," said Pawar.