MVA Legislators and MPs Allegedly Engaging with BJP, Asserts State Party Chief

Mumbai, Dec 11 (NationPress) Maharashtra BJP Chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated on Wednesday that some legislators and MPs from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are feeling discontented with the ongoing situation within the opposition alliance and are establishing contact with his party.

However, he refrained from providing specific details regarding the BJP's approach to address this situation.

“A number of MLAs and MPs from the Maha Vikas Aghadi are expressing their discontent to us, and many are in communication with the BJP. Those in contact with us have voiced their concerns about feeling sidelined in their respective parties, lacking support, and not having meetings convened to discuss the current ground-level issues following the elections in their constituencies,” Bawankule explained.

Bawankule's remarks are significant as tensions have emerged among MVA allies due to their decision to boycott the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and subsequently missing the election of Rahul Narwekar as the Assembly Speaker during the recent three-day special session that wrapped up on December 9 in Mumbai.

Additionally, some MPs have expressed dissatisfaction regarding the absence of a unified strategy for the functioning of the MVA or the INDIA bloc.

Commenting on the alleged 'Operation Lotus' claimed by the Opposition as an attempt to fracture their parties, Bawankule remarked that the investigative agencies are fulfilling their roles.

“We are not involved in such matters. The usual refrain from the opposition is that the ED and CBI are being weaponized against them. However, if any individual chooses to join our party under Devendra Fadnavis' leadership to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a Developed India, they are welcome,” he added.

Bawankule criticized the Opposition for perpetuating a false narrative about EVMs to gain votes in the upcoming civic body elections.

“Rather than blaming EVMs, the leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi should identify their shortcomings in the elections,” he commented.

He further directed his criticisms at the Opposition, asserting that it is their agenda to launch a campaign against EVMs following their losses in the recent Assembly elections.

“The Supreme Court has already dismissed objections concerning EVMs, stating that they are considered reliable when they win and unreliable when they lose. Therefore, even if they approach the court now, it will yield no results. The opposition must accept that the electorate has rejected them and contemplate their defeat. The MahaYuti fell short as a party in the Lok Sabha elections. Nonetheless, MahaYuti regrouped, worked at various levels, and re-engaged with the populace,” he asserted.

Bawankule mentioned that State Congress President Nana Patole is under pressure from the citizens due to his narrow victory margin.

“Patole needs to discover why voters have distanced themselves from him. The Congress leader's petition in the High Court seeking to halt the Ladki Bahin Yojana proved detrimental for the Congress,” he noted.

On the topic of the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Bawankule indicated that the Assembly Speaker will make an informed decision after evaluating the relevant laws and regulations.

“The Opposition should reflect on why they lacked sufficient support to secure the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly,” he added.

When asked about the state's cabinet expansion, Bawankule mentioned that leaders from the three opposition parties and the BJP's central leadership will deliberate and arrive at a decision collaboratively.

He emphasized that fulfilling the commitments made to the public in the election manifesto is the top priority for MahaYuti.

Bawankule rebuked party legislator Gopichand Padalkar for his personal attacks against NCP-SP Chief Sharad Pawar during a rally in Markadwadi, Solapur district, held on Tuesday.

He stated that Padalkar would be admonished and instructed to refrain from making such personal remarks against Sharad Pawar.