BJP, Sena in ‘transparency’ battle
The Shiv Sena is trying to turn the tables on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with its ‘transparency and good governance’ claim. In the first state Cabinet meeting on Friday after the bitterly fought Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Sena raised the issue of transparency, asking chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to make Cabinet meeting proceedings open for the public like the BMC standing committee. Sena ministers were aggressive in the meeting, ahead of the key Budget session of the state Assembly.
Cabinet sources said the CM gave a “positive” reply to their demands, saying that the government needs to see the constitutional provisions and if needed, shall move the Centre to make Cabinet meetings and decisions more transparent. The word ‘transparency’ had become a talking point in BMC elections. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had aggressively pushed this issue trying to paint Sena as a corrupt party. In reply, Sena had put forth the Union finance ministry’s ‘Economic Survey of India’ from 2017 in which BMC had been called the most transparent civic body in the country.
On Friday, the first Cabinet meeting was held after the bitter BMC campaign carried out by BJP and Sena against each other. This was the first time that leaders of each party came face to face after almost a month. From Sena’s side, transport minister Divakar Raote, MSRDC minister Eknath Shinde and health minister Dr Deepak Sawant were present for the meeting.
Demanding ‘transparency’ in the Cabinet meeting, Mr Shinde said, “The chief minister made an issue of transparency while campaigning for BMC elections. Similarly, Sena chief Uddhavji has raised the same question about the working of the state government. As standing committees in municipalities allow straight entry of journalists, the same should be applicable in state Cabinet meetings.”
Journalists are permitted to sit and watch the proceedings of standing committees in municipalities. They are not allowed to do so in Cabinet meetings.
Mr Shinde further said, “Everyone, be it state minister, journalists, opposition leaders of both Houses, state Lokayukta, should get a chance to be present at Cabinet meeting. This could only make the Cabinet transparent.”
Mr Fadnavis, as if already aware about Sena ministers’ strategy of raising the issue of transparency, replied positively. Sources quoted Mr Fadnavis as saying, “Our government is of the opinion that transparency shall be the key word in governance. We are ready for making Cabinet decisions more open and transparent for public. But there are a few constitutional provisions by which Cabinet meeting needs to be held under secrecy. But, we should keep those aside if allowed by law.” Mr Fadnavis was also quoted saying that, “If necessary, state government will request the central government for bringing a law to make Cabinet meetings more transparent.”