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Although the NCP leader Praful Patel asserted on Monday evening that the party would “definitely” be a part of the government in Maharashtra, the party continued to talk about 1999 power-sharing formula. The NCP was not ready to concede Rural Development and Tribal Development portfolios to the Congress, notwithstanding the latter’s tally of 82 seats as against the NCP’s 62 in the recent Assembly elections.
On the other hand, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha’s (JVM) Babulal Marandi was playing tough in seat-sharing negotiations and talks with the Congress seemed to be heading for a breakdown. While Marandi wanted to contest at least 40 seats in 81-seat Assembly, the Congress was not ready to concede more than 25, according to party sources. Reconciled to go it alone in Jharkhand, the Congress announced its candidates for 26 seats on Tuesday.
These developments have come as a setback to the Congress, which was foreseeing a return to its dominant position in the country’s polity. But, the grand old party’s allies are apparently not ready to feed into such aspirations.
In Maharashtra, the Congress was learnt to have proposed a formula by which it gets 22 ministers and the Chief Minister’s post, while the NCP gets 19 ministers plus Deputy CM’s post. Under the 2004 power-sharing arrangement, the Congress had 20 ministers as against the NCP’s 23. Congress sources said the party did not stake any claim for crucial portfolios like Home, Power, Finance and PWD and instead wanted portfolios like Rural Development and Tribal Development in keeping with party president Sonia Gandhi’s focus on these key areas. The NCP was, however, far from accommodative.
NCP sources said the shrill campaign by a section of Congress leaders in the run up to the Assembly polls demanding the NCP’s merger with the Congress. In this backdrop, NCP chief Sharad Pawar could ill-afford to be seen as giving in to the Congress in power-sharing arrangement, especially given the rumblings in a section of the party after Ajit Pawar was overlooked for the post of Deputy CM, said sources. “It is a question of survival as also supremacy in Maharashtra,” said a senior NCP leader.
On Tuesday, Praful Patel sought to dispel any apprehension about the formation of an NCP-Congress government. “If giving the letter (of support to the Governor) could be an obstacle, we can give it tomorrow. But in a coalition it is better to resolve all issues (before the CM and the Deputy CM are sworn in),” he asserted.
However, with his party also split on supporting the Congress from outside, Patel denied reports about Deputy CM designate Chhagan Bhujbal’s remarks that the party would extend support from outside if its talks with the Congress fell through. “Whatever statements come from me is the party’s authorised version. Bhujbal never said we will not be part of the government,” Patel said. He, however, added that there was “no new dimension” that the NCP was bringing on the table in terms of allocation of portfolios that was settled 10 years ago.
Hoping that all issues will be resolved “in a day or two”, Patel pointed out that the government formation exercise had taken two weeks in 1999 and 12 days in 2004, while only 10 days have passed this time.
Meanwhile, Governor S C Jamir summoned caretaker Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal separately on Tuesday to expedite the formation of the government.
‘Can’t force Marathi on anyone’
NEW DELHI: Union Minister and senior NCP leader Praful Patel on Tuesday rebuffed the demand for the Maharashtra MLAs to take oath in Marathi. “As a representative of the state, you should try to respect the local sentiments and try to be conversant with the local language, but to force anybody to do it would be unconstitutional and unacceptable,” he told reporters here. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray had demanded that all 288 legislators should take oath in Marathi only. ENS
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Typical Indian Politicians.. since wen did elections stand for people anyway??.. who carez if the state is in shambles and craving for some positive newz abt development and practical schemes??.. people can wait like they alwayz have.. who has time to thnk 4 them newayz
Presidnet's rule means rule by center, means rule by congress and UPA. In maharashtra, the governor should act according to his constitutional protocol and authority. today being the last day for forming a govt, the congress-ncp alliance failed and there is no sign of a patch up between these parties. hence as per provisions of the constitution, the governor should invite the next group (bjp-ss) for formation of the govt. we feel the bjp-ss comibine should be supportd by left-RP combine and also by ncp. in todays environment, the congress is becoming a dictator party both at center and states. hence they are becoming worst than their situation during emergency. even EC being influenced and back seat driven by congress leaders. the constitutional provisions are not being adhered to by anyone. defense ministry is misusing their power and resources for party/personal purposes. the country is going to a disaster situation.
Congress Party's strength is its belief in personality cult. Sonia, Rahul are very powerful as on today but how? Selective character assassination of opposition leaders, and by raising disputes and fight within opposition parties. While doing so all ills of Congress has been neglected and a blank cheque of secularism, unity, and patriotism has been attributed to them. Congress backed MNS to defeat Shiva Sena - what is the result - Fatwa - speak Marathi only, PC speaks against riots but not a word against Fatwa - and what is Fatwa is it a democratic tool? It is whim of a select group of people who want to impose on others what they think is right. Where are socially elite ladies who jump on the road against moral policing? Basically the principle is - "NEHRU DYNASTY" is always right and those who oppose are against secularism, and against the country. I saw the celebration after Congress NCP alliance but what happened then? The victors have not been able to form Govt.
Perhaps, president’s rule should be proclaimed in each state, for six months, along with the announcement of elections. It will give the state politicians full freedom to fight the election and the post-election fights for govt-formations also. People could, in the mean time, continue to have a responsive governance under experienced administrators.