Waris Pathan Critiques MahaYuti's Ministerial Tenure Strategy

Mumbai, Dec 16 (NationPress) The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan has openly criticized the MahaYuti alliance in Maharashtra, bringing attention to a supposed internal discord over the ministerial tenure arrangement.

In a conversation with IANS, Pathan highlighted the arrangement of ministerial roles assigned for two-and-a-half-year terms in Maharashtra as indicative of the fractures within the ruling coalition.

"There is a distinct divide in the MahaYuti. BJP minister Ashish Shelar has publicly denounced Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. As the saying goes, 'It's dirty, but it's business.' If ministers are supposed to serve for two and a half years, why not rotate them every six months? Even a nine-time BJP MLA remains without a ministerial position. Chhagan Bhujbal is discontented, and Eknath Shinde is also rumored to be unhappy. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds," Pathan commented to IANS.

Previously, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar indicated that ministers would undergo an evaluation midway through their terms. He noted that those left out of the recent cabinet expansion might be considered for induction after the two-and-a-half-year interval.

During the recent cabinet expansion of the Devendra Fadnavis government in Nagpur, 39 ministers were sworn in, raising the total to 42. Of these, the BJP acquired 19 positions, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena secured 11, and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) obtained nine.

When questioned about Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi carrying a bag marked with “Palestine,” Pathan remarked: "I am not a spokesperson for Congress, but I will address this. From Mahatma Gandhi to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indian leaders have historically supported the Palestinian cause. The atrocities in Palestine, particularly the murder of women and children during Israeli strikes, are inhumane. Our faith is profoundly linked to Palestine through the Al Aqsa Mosque. We have consistently advocated for justice for Palestine."

Congress member Priyanka Gandhi appeared in Parliament with a 'Palestine' label on her handbag, capturing the interest of fellow lawmakers and media alike. This is perceived as her effort to show solidarity with the Palestinians amid the ongoing military conflict with Israel.

Addressing the controversy surrounding Sambhal, Pathan accused the BJP and RSS of disseminating false information. "For years, there has been propaganda regarding Sambhal. The Rastogi family, who were caretakers, claimed there was a temple there until 2006. Why propagate lies? Such narratives breed hatred. The Supreme Court has prohibited any further surveys of religious sites under the Places of Worship Act, yet BJP leaders continue to discuss carbon dating and excavations. Will you excavate all 1,400 mosques allegedly built over temples? This is merely a diversion from real issues," Pathan stated to IANS.

He further mocked the rationale behind such endeavors, adding: "If I dream about something buried beneath Parliament, will you order an excavation there as well?"

In response to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s assertion that 209 Hindus have been killed in Sambhal since 1947, Pathan shot back: “Yogi Adityanath has utterly failed as a Chief Minister. His remarks reveal his ineffectiveness in governance.”

CM Adityanath, during the Winter Session of the Assembly on Monday, accused the Opposition of ignoring violence against Hindus in Sambhal.