In winter session, Sena to use quota, drought to up heat against ally BJP

MUMBAI: Continuing with its aggressive stand against ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the winter session that began on Monday, the Shiv Sena plans to demand a concrete plan for drought relief in the state and government’s response on demand for Maratha reservation, senior party leaders said.

Although sharing power in the state, the Sena has been critical of the BJP over some of its policies and functioning. The Sena has been playing the role of the opposition while enjoying power in the state. “We will take demand an action plan for drought in the session. We will also cross-check their claims with the ground reality. There will be a debate on the issue,” said Sunil Prabhu, Sena group leader in the legislative Assembly.

Prabhu said they also plan to take up the killing of tigress T-1, known as Avni, for which state forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar faced flak. “There seems to be some wrongdoing in the killing of Avni in Yavatmal. She should have been tranquilised, but was killed instead,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Sena wants the cases filed against the Maratha protesters to be withdrawn. Anil Parab, Sena group leader in the legislative Council, said, “Many youths still face the charges. We have demanded the cases be withdrawn. We will reiterate it during the session.”

Prabhu said they plan to take up the issue of tree cutting for Metro projects in Mumbai, adding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is controlled by the Sena, has denied permissions to cut trees at several occasions. “The state overturned it every time and allowed felling of trees,” he said.

On Monday, Sena legislators met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and demanded that the proposed Mumbai-nagpur Expressway be named after the late Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, instead of the state’s plan to name it after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.sena leaders have argued that Vajpayee was a “national leader” and other projects in the county could be named after him.

SHIV SENA LEADERS PLAN TO CORNER THE GOVT ON ‘ISSUES OF PUBLIC INTEREST’ IN BOTH THE HOUSES