Mumbai, Mar 09: Accusing the Congress-led DF government in Maharashtra of “failing to tackle the prevailing drought-like situation” in the state, the Shiv Sena-BJP opposition today boycotted the customary 'tea meeting', hosted by Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on the eve of the budget session. “Farmers are committing suicide due to severe drought, cattles are dying. Sharing a cup of tea with the government during this difficult phase do not fit into our morality,” the opposition leader Narayan Rane told a press conference here. The government has failed to tackle the drought-like situation. It only issues orders to tackle the calamity but there is no implementation, Rane accused.
The leader of opposition in the Upper House Nitin Gadkari, claimed that due to recurrent drought, nearly 101 farmers have committed suicide so far. The opposition stated that government has 'failed' to address issues concerning farmers, labourers and working class.
Rane alleged that Shinde was following the footsteps of his predecessor Vilasrao Deshmukh as far as 'inept governance' was concerned.
He also blasted the government for 'shielding corrupt politicians and officials' involved in various scams. To a query about opposition rejecting the tea invitation from a new Chief Minister, Rane said, “The new Chief Minister has not consulted us on any issue. If he is not following parliamentary conventions, why should we?”
Bureau Report