Opposition to corner Maharashtra govt on drought, graft issues

A united Opposition is set to corner the Maharashtra government in the upcoming budget session of the state legislature beginning March 9 over "failure" to tackle severe drought conditions and allegations of irregularities against ministers.

Dhananjay Munde, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, charged that the government did not take action against "five corrupt" ministers including Education Minister Vinod Tawde, Tribal Development minister Vishnu Savara and Women and Child welfare minister Pankaja Munde.

"We have exposed the manner in which these ministers are involved in corruption and had demanded an inquiry and their resignation during winter session held at Nagpur in last December. But nothing has happened as yet. We feel that this government is shielding corrupt ministers," Munde said.

Congress and NCP legislators say they would continue to put pressure on the state government in the upcoming session that will begin with a joint address by Governor C Vidyasagar Rao to both Houses of the Legislature.

"We will continue to press our demands on these issues in the upcoming Budget session and will also raise drought, law and order situation in the state and failure of 'Make in India' event," Munde added.

Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, leader of Opposition in the Assembly, said that the Devendra Fadnavis government has failed to resolve the drought situation

"Fadnavis held a cabinet meeting at Latur on Friday. This was nothing but an eyewash as there was nothing new in the assurances given at a press conference,'" Vikhe-Patil said.

He added that farmers need immediate help as unseasonal rains and hailstorms in parts of North Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha have ruined Rabi crops.

Girish Bapat, minister for parliamentary affairs, has, however said that state government is ready to reply to all issues that will be raised by Opposition party members.

Meanwhile, Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar, chairman of Upper House and Haribhau Bagade, Speaker of the Lower House, have called a joint meeting of ruling and Opposition party leaders on Tuesday at 12 noon.

"They will mediate between the ruling and Opposition members to conduct business of both the Houses properly," said an official from the state legislature.