Sena, Cong slam state over on-going govt employees’ strike
The Shiv Sena and the Congress on Wednesday attacked the BJP-led Maharashtra government over the ongoing strike of state employees for various demands.
They said the strike is indicative of the “failure” of the ruling dispensation on various fronts. Around 17 lakh class 3 and class 4 employees of the state government went on three-day strike, which began on Tuesday for various demands, including implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission and filling up of vacant posts.
Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said that instead of mulling action against the striking employees, the government should fulfill their demands.
“Everybody, right from farmers to government employees have gone on strike. Instead of taking action against them, the government should solve their problems. The environment of the state is deteriorating," Thackeray said in a statement issued here.
He said these protests were a result of pre-election “jumlas” (false promises).
“Had ‘jumlas’ from ‘Garibi hatao’ to ‘Acche din’ been translated into action, there would not have been dissatisfaction among the people. People were fooled by leaders who wanted to get elected. And the result is before us,” he said.
Despite being a constituent in the BJP-led NDA government, the Sena’s relations with the BJP are soured over a period of time. Thackeray said the farmers as well as the government employees coming out on the streets should not be construed as “protests”, but their fight for rights.
“If people are having to fight for employment and justice, one cannot say where this country is heading towards. Issues being faced by the people have to be solved with compassion,” he said. Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan said that not only the employees but the farmers and the state transport workers are also tired of the BJP government.
He said the entire government machinery had shut down due to the strike. Chavan said teaching staff and doctors have remained absent from work on the second day of the strike on Wednesday, which has started affecting the people.