Rather than cut a sorry figure, Sena drops cut motion

MUMBAI, APRIL 4 : The Sena-BJP alliance is unlikely to meet the April 5 deadline set by Sena supremo Bal Thackeray to topple the Congress-...

MUMBAI, APRIL 4 : The Sena-BJP alliance is unlikely to meet the April 5 deadline set by Sena supremo Bal Thackeray to topple the Congress-led Democratic Front government following unexpected withdrawal of cut motion submitted by leader of Opposition Narayan Rane.

At a highlevel meeting of Sena-BJP legislators, Thackeray had asked Rane as well as senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde to chalkout an action plan to topple the Vilasrao Deshmukh government by April 5. Subsequently, Thackeray had a closed-door meeting with Union Minister for Information Technology Pramod Mahajan to discuss the strategy.

In accordance with the strategy, it was decided that instead of moving a no confidence motion or seeking support from either the Congress or the Nationalist Congress Party legislators, a cut motion should be moved.

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“As per the convention, if a cut motion on the budgetary demand of any department, is passed, then it is considered as a defeat of the government and the government has no alternative but to resign,” a senior BJP leader said.

Accordingly, former Chief Minister Narayan Rane had given a notice for a cut motion to the budgetary demands of the Food and Civil Supplies. In fact, at the joint meeting of the Sena-BJP legislators, the prospects of the cut motion were discussed at length. Subsequently, the proposal was also discussed with Union Minister for Heavy Industry Manohar Joshi, who made his presence felt at the council hall.

When it became clear that it will be difficult to get the cut motion passed, Rane informed speaker Arun Gujarathi that he will not press for the motion submitted by him. “Since I felt that it was not a appropriate time, I decided to withdraw the cut motion. There is no need to assign the reasons for the withdrawal,” Rane said.

When Rane’s attention was drawn to the statement of Thackeray on toppling the government, the former Chief Minister said, it was a prediction of his political mentor. “So far, he has always proved correct,” Rane remarked.

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However, a senior BJP leader said since a large number of BJP legislators were absent today, it was decided to drop the proposal of cut motion. “We have still five days in hands to move the cut motion. Once we are sure of our strength, we will move the cut motion and ensure that it is not defeated,” the BJP leader said.

Manohar Joshi did not speak much on Sena-BJP’s strategy to topple the Congress-led Democratic Front government, saying he was here to meet the party legislators.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party as well as the Congress today geared up to save the five month old government. “I think it will not be easy task for the Sena-BJP alliance to topple the front government. We will ensure that the cut motions moved by Rane or any of the opposition members are defeated. In fact that will give us fresh opportunity to prove our strength on the floor of the house,” a senior Congress Minister said.