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Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, JAN 31: The Congress in Maharashtra chose not to be united in this hour of political uncertainty in the state. In an unabashed show of factionalism, two different delegations of the party met with Governor Dr PC Alexander today to impress upon him the need for the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition to prove its majority in the state assembly. Unless the alliance can show majority on the floor of the legislature, chief minister-designate Narayan Rane should not be given oath, was the Congress refrain.
This was conveyed by Chhagan Bhujbal and Madhukar Pichad, Opposition leaders in the Legislative Council and Assembly respectively, during their morning meeting with the Governor. Considered as Sharad Pawar brigade in the state Congress, they were accompanied by former minister and another Pawar acolyte Padamsinh Patil.
Bhosle has taken this seriously, said a PCC office-bearer. “Bhujbal and Pichad should have consulted the PCC. The norm is that the PCC chief goes to the Governor even when the party is making a claim to form the government. We can’t understand if Bhujbal and Pichad are virodhi paksha or paksha virodhi (opposition party or party opposition) leaders,” remarked a senior leader. However, Bhosle himself sought to downplay the incident; “the Congress made the same point both times, don’t see this as two delegations,” he said.
Incidentally, Pawar attended other programmes in the city during the day and met Bhosle at one of the venues. Pawar’s position remains what it was some months ago: in the event that the Sena-BJP coalition runs into rough weather, the Congress would prefer that assembly election is held but would not stake claim to form government. Bhosle holds asimilar view.
Yet, the Governor heard two representations from the party. Bhujbal and Pichad say that they had conveyed information of their appointment with Dr. Alexander to the PCC president as soon as they were given the appointment. They had also informed AICC general secretary Madhavrao Scindia who did not object to the meeting, Bhujbal said. “The PCC delegation could have joined us since we had an appointment anyway,” he added.
The PCC delegation included Ramrao Adik, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Dr Vijaya Patil, Kripa Shankar Singh known for their animosity to Pawar. Ironically, the Governor apparently asked the PCC delegation if the Congress would lay claim to form the government. Bhosle replied that the party was “not yet ready for it”.
