Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane and his son MLA Nitesh Rane arrives at Vidhan Bhavan on Monday. (Photot: Rajesh Jadhav )
Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane and his son MLA Nitesh Rane arrives at Vidhan Bhavan on Monday. (Photot: Rajesh Jadhav )
With the entry of Narayan Rane in the legislative Assembly, Congress on Monday managed to overshadow NCP in the House for the first time in the last two years. NCP has been the dominant opposition party ever since the two parties lost power in the state. Even though Congress has more members than BJP and Shiv Sena, it was always subdued in the Upper House as the NCP was more aggressive. However, this picture changed on Monday. Upbeat Congress leaders said this was just the beginning.
NCP is the largest party in the Upper House and has been dominating its proceedings. On the other hand, Congress’ voice was not heard in the House so much because of lack of strong leadership. On the first day of the Monsoon Session itself, the Congress indicated that the party wanted to dominate NCP in the House when Mr Rane strongly objected to the ordinance moved by the BJP-led government in Maharashtra for creating MMRDA-like authorities in Pune and Nagpur. Usually, there is no discussion held while laying of ordinances issued by the governor. However, Congress insisted on the CM’s reply to his objection and they succeeded, while NCP remained a mute spectator during the whole argument.
Mr Rane contended that the government was violating the spirit of the 74th Constitutional Amendment of 1993, which granted more powers to civic bodies. He argued that the government was trying to encroach upon the powers of municipal corporations. He demanded that the ordinance be withdrawn and redrafted after removing the contentious points.
Replying to Mr Rane, CM Devendra Fadnavis clarified that the development and planning authority for Pune and Nagpur, on the lines of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, was meant for regions, excluding the civic limits of Pune and Nagpur municipal corporations.
“The government has no intentions to curb the powers of the civic bodies. The ordinance was vetted by the law and judiciary department and then by the office of the governor,” the CM said.
A Congress leader, who was ecstatic with Mr Rane’s entry, said, “This was just a beginning. Mr Rane has his own style. The Congress will be more aggressive in the house with him at the helm.”
Earlier, the Monsoon Session commenced amid vociferous protests by the opposition against corruption, the Ahmednagar gang-rape case and the agrarian crisis.
