First time I was accused of lying, says Uddhav Thackeray
Addressing a press conference after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's resignation, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray says "I felt concerned about the caretaker CM after seeing his press conference. In past 5 years, never let politics come before development."
Mr. Thackeray says "I was hurt because this is the first time Balasaheb's son has been accused of lying. Maharashtra knows what Thackeray family is. Devendra Fadnavis has accused me of lying. Even if Amit Shah and company accuses me of lying, people knows who is lying and who tells the truth."
"During Lok Sabha elections, Amit Shah and Fadnavis came to me. During talks, I was given offer of deputy CM post. I said I am not so helpless. I have given a promise to Balasaheb that a Maharashtra CM will be from Shiv Sena. So I did not agree and stayed firm," Mr. Thackeray says.
"Amitbhai called me and said, what do you want? I said I want equal sharing of power. Amitbhai said, when your CM is there, you consider us and vice versa."
Mr. Thackeray says "Amit Shah came to Matoshree and said he wanted to mend relations. Devendraji was conveyed this. But he said I will face problems in my party. That is why he used the words, 'sharing of powers and responsibilities.'"
Fadnavis is my friend, says Uddhav
He further said "Devendra Fadnavis is my friend. That's why I supported him but didn't expect this from him. I stopped discussions after he said, no such thing was decided (after assembly elections results). I can't be seen as someone who lies. Had they (BJP) said, we will take first 2.5 years, we wouldn't have said anything."
Mr. Uddhav says "I still don't consider BJP an enemy but you know who is lying when it comes to demonetisation and other decisions. I accepted to contest less seats. I didn't say anything when you decided to take up Satara seat in seat sharing."
He says "We never criticised Modiji. Modiji called me younger brother. If someone is jealous of that, that needs to be inspected."
Mr. Uddhav says "BJP should directly say that, yes it was agreed but we are not giving it to you anymore (CM post). While cleaning Ganga, your hearts have become polluted. I never thought greed for power will go to this extent. I regret going with wrong people (BJP)."
"RSS should think, how is lying part of Hindutva? Soon, Ayodhya verdict will come. Today I am shocked that caretaker CM says BJP will form government without majority," says Mr. Uddhav.
He says "If you are considering other options, how can you consider me a criminal for considering other options? Yes I did not talk to you and until you accept you lied, I will not talk to you. Are you spying on us? (Because CM said Sena was talking to Congress-NCP multiple times)."
Mr. Uddhav says "Even now, farmers have not got farm loan waiver, allowances, aid part of schemes in Maharashtra. Fix your (BJP) mistakes and don't make anymore mistakes."
In the meantime, Shiv Sena has decided to shift its MLAs to a resort in Madh island till November 15 . The party has requested Mumbai police commissioner Sanjay Barve to provide security at the premises.
Fadnavis hits out at Sena
Addressing the media after tendering his resignation, Devendra Fadnavis sought to blame the Shiv Sena for the crisis. "We fought together as Mahayuti, but Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in his first press conference [after election results] said that all option to form govt are open. It was a shock for us."
Categorically refuting Shiv Sena's claim that BJP was ready for a 2.5 years formula, Mr. Fadnavis said no such decision was taken. "It was not decided in front of me. I asked Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari about 2.5 years formula and even they told me that no such final decision was taken," he said.
He also lashed out at Mr. Thackeray for reaching out to Congress and NCP instead of approaching the BJP. "I will never criticise Uddhav Thackeray. But the kind of language used to criticise Modiji, our leader was extremely poor and it hurt us."
Mr. Fadnavis asserted that the new government will be formed under the leadership of BJP.
Devendra Fadnavis resigns
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tenders his resignation to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Friday.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday tendered his resignation to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
The term of existing Maharashtra Assembly ends on November 9 and no political party has come forward to form a government in the State even as the results were declared on October 24.
The Maharashtra Chief Secretary has called for an urgent meeting of all secretaries following resignation of Mr. Fadnavis.
The oath taking ceremony for newly-elected MLAs to Maharshtra Assembly has been called off. The MLAs were scheduled to take oath coming week.
BJP 'descended to ultimate personal vendetta', says Ahmed Patel
With the government withdrawing the SPG cover of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul and Priyanka, senior party leader Ahmed Patel on Friday alleged that the BJP has “descended to the ultimate personal vendetta mechanism“.
The BJP is compromising the lives of family members of two former prime ministers to acts of terror and violence, he said referring to the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
The government has withdrawn the Special Protection Group (SPG) cover of the Gandhis, and they will now be given Z-plus security by the CRPF, officials said on Friday.
The decision to withdraw the SPG cover given to the family of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated by LTTE terrorists on May 21, 1991, was taken after a detailed security assessment, a senior official said.
“The BJP has descended to the ultimate personal vendetta mechanism, compromising the lives of family members of 2 Former Prime Ministers to acts of terror and violence,” Congress treasurer Ahmed Patel tweeted.
The Gandhis will be without SPG protection after 28 years. They were included in the VVIP security list following an amendment in September 1991 in the SPG Act of 1988.
Athawale meets Pawar
With the impasse on government formation in Maharashtra continuing even a fortnight after Assembly poll results, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale met NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Friday.
Mr. Athawale said he met the NCP chief “to seek his advice” on ending deadlock over government formation in Maharashtra.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Pawar suggested the BJP and Shiv Sena through Mr. Athawale to respect the “clear cut majority” people have given them.
Mr. Pawar said he was not aware why Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was not inviting the BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party winning 105 seats in the October 21 Assembly election, to stake claim to form government.
“Such a situation should not prevail in a State like Maharashtra. He (Athawale) asked for advice. We have consensus that the people have given the BJP and Shiv Sena clear cut mandate.”
For how long can the President or Governor wait, Mr. Pawar wondered, adding they will have to take some decision soon. “Our advice is you (BJP and Shiv Sena) have the mandate. You follow it,” he added.
Amid impasse, Uddhav Thackeray holds meeting of Sena MLAs
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray chaired a meeting of his party legislators here on Thursday, amid the standoff over government formation in Maharashtra.
All the Sena MLAs were present at the meeting currently underway at ‘Matoshree’, the residence of Thackeray in suburban Bandra.
Thackeray is likely to discuss the prevailing political situation in the state and woes of farmers due to crop losses after unseasonal rains in parts of the state.
BJP pushing Maharashtra towards President’s rule: NCP
With government formation not happening in Maharashtra yet, the NCP on Friday accused the BJP of pushing the state towards President’s rule and wanting to run it through Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA constituent’s chief Amit Shah.
NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Malik also said the people of Maharashtra will not tolerate this “insult” of the state.
He added history shows the state doesn’t bow before the “throne of Delhi“.
“The BJP wants to run Maharashtra through Modi and Shah from Delhi by pushing the state towards President’s rule. People will not tolerate this insult of Maharashtra.
“It has been a history that Maharashtra doesn’t bow before the throne of Delhi. Jai Maharashtra,” Mr. Malik tweeted.
Made BJP dominant pole of Indian politics: PM Modi’s birthday greetings to Advani
As BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani turned 92 on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled his contribution in shaping the party and making it a “dominant pole” of Indian politics.
The Prime Minister, who visited the veteran leader at his home, said Mr. Advani never compromised on the core ideology.
“Scholar, statesman and one of the most respected leaders, India will always cherish the exceptional contribution of Shri Lal Krishna Advani Ji towards empowering our citizens,” the PM wrote on Twitter.
Mr. Advani toiled for decades to give shape and strength to the BJP, he said, wishing him on his birthday.
“If over the years, our party has emerged as a dominant pole of Indian politics, it is because of leaders like Advani Ji and the selfless karyakartas (workers) he groomed for decades,” PM Modi said.
“Not once has he compromised on the core ideology. When it came to safeguarding our democracy, he was at the forefront. As a minister, his administrative skills are universally lauded,” he said.
Home Minister Amit Shah also hailed Advani’s dedication to the nation and said that his leadership, his tireless hard work and organization skills has made BJP into a national party.
“The entire life of Advani is dedicated to the development and welfare of the nation. With his amazing leadership ability, he not only laid a strong foundation of the party but also inspired millions of workers. While in government, Advani ji worked to give a new momentum to India, the paramount value of the nation,” he tweeted.
Others who met him along with the prime minister, include Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and BJP working president J.P. Nadda.
- PTI
Congress MLAs to meet amid political impasse in Maharashtra
As the impasse over government formation continued in Maharashtra, the Congress has convened a meeting ofits newly-elected MLAs here on Friday amid speculation that they may be shifted to Jaipur.
Balasaheb Thorat
State Congress president Balasaheb Thorat and other senior leaders will be present at the meeting which will take place around 10.30 am, party sources said.
They said all the 44 Congress MLAs will attend the meet, which is expected to discuss the prevailing political situation in Maharashtra where there is no sign of the new government even two weeks after declaration of polls results.
The party is exercising caution due to the possibility of defection from its legislative wing, the sources said. -PTI
Note ban was futile exercise, knew it would ruin lives: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said the Centre’s move to demonetise high- value currency notes on this day in 2016 was a futile exercise which had a negative impact on the country’s economy.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. File photo
Ms. Banerjee, on the third anniversary of note ban, asserted that she knew from the very beginning that the decision would ruin millions of lives.
“Today is the third anniversary of #DeMonetisationDisaster. Within minutes of announcement, I had said that it will ruin the economy and the lives of millions.
Renowned economists, common people & all experts now agree.
Figures from RBI have also shown it was a futile exercise,” the Chief Minister tweeted.
“Economic disaster started on that day and look where it has reached now. Banks stressed, economy in a complete slump. All affected. From farmers to the young generation to workers to traders, housewives... everyone is affected,” she added. - PTI
