Cong-NCP leaders warn govt, to raise reservation issue in winter session

In a sharp attack against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party called them as ‘Thugs of Maharashtra’. Comparing them with the recent released Bollywood movie ‘Thugs of Hindustan’, the opposition party put a banner showing Fadnavis as 'Firangi' and Thackeray as 'Khudabaksh'. On the other hand Fadnavis retorts by calling opposition as 'Gangs of Wasepur'.

Opposition addressed media on the eve of winter session at the official residence of Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, leader of opposition of assembly on Sunday. Vikhe-Patil as well as Dhananjay Munde, leader of opposition in Council House targeted Fadnavis government over failure of law and order and reservation issues.

“When the state is going through drought situation and reservations issues of several communities including Maratha, Dhangar, Muslim and Lingayat are pending, the session should have been of at least three weeks. But the government does not want to face tough questions and so it has reduced the duration of the winter session,” Munde alleged.

He further alleged, “Even after 21 days of announcing drought in the state, no steps have been taken by the government to control the situation. Government has not sanctioned new tankers. There is scarcity of drinking water. No fodder for cattle, but Government is taking no steps. This shows that the government is not serious about the drought.”

Taking reference of recent released movie, ‘Thugs of Hindustan’, Munde said, "Look at the coincidence. On November 8, 2016, government declared Demonitisation, two years later on the same day a movie released with the name ‘Thugs of Hindustan’.

“The state government is Thugs of Maharashtra. It is cheating people. Instead of looking into the problems of farmers, they are busy remembering Ram and Ayodhya,” said Munde and added, Whenever Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena fear about defeat, they remember Ram. Munde also criticised Thackeray over his proposed Ayodhya visit. “Instead of looking into farmer issues, Uddhav is going to Ayodhya. Uddhav should leave the Government if he has guts and true love for Ram,” he said.

Vikhe-Patil alleged Uddhav is cheating people over Ram mandir issue. “From 20 years, you are ruling Mumbai. Several buildings collapsed, roads are filled with potholes. But instead of looking into these problems, Uddhav is going to Ayodhya,” said Vikhe-Patil. He added, “They (Uddhav) are still not able to construct memorial for Balasaheb. I have been demanding that the memorial (of Balasaheb Thackeray) should be constructed at Matoshree, residence of Udadhav.”