Opposition asks Sena to quit government if upset with BJP over agri issue

Mumbai: Opposition Congress and NCP on Tuesday said if the Shiv Sena feels the BJP-led Maharashtra government was doing nothing to tackle the agrarian crisis, then it should stop being part of the ruling dispensation.

Both the parties accused Sena of trying to “copy” their stand on trying to put the government on the mat over farmers’ issues.

The opposition members said this after Shiv Sena ministers met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at his official residence to demand a special session of the Maharashtra legislature to discuss the issues plaguing the farmers.

“The opposition had boycotted the budget session after its 19 MLAs were suspended. We were aggressive on the issue of farm loan waiver from day one. Why did Sena keep quiet and why didn’t they get the government to announce a loan waiver?” Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said. “Sena changed its stand ahead of the budget presentation after the chief minister took them to Delhi,” he alleged.

The Congress leader charged that the Shiv Sena “woke up” after the opposition announced its plan to meet the Governor on the farmers’ issues.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde described Shiv Sena as a “chameleon” that changes colours frequently.

“They sit quiet during the budget session and in the Cabinet meetings, then why should they stage drama of meeting the chief minister separately. If they feel for the farmers, why are they still in government,” he asked.