Maharashtra: Congress looking forward

Political ripples are increasing in the ruling alliance in Maha Vikas Aghadi(MVA) in Maharashtra. Two recent political developments have fueled the 'bayanbazi"  among alliance partners. The third and junior partner Congress seems to be not finding comfortable with its senior partners. This uneasiness was seen during the meeting of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary and party in-charge for Maharashtra H K Patil  on his a three-day tour of Mumbai. He has held meetings with key party leaders from the state on Thursday. The leaders discussed various issues such as reservation for Marathas and OBC, election to the post of Assembly Speaker and the forthcoming elections for local bodies. 

The visit of H K Patil has once again generated speculations within MVA as well as the opposition, similar to what had happened after the meeting of Prashant Kishor with NCP president Sharad Pawar. State Congress chief Nana Patole who reportedly had earlier hinted that his party could contest separately in the local elections, reiterated that his party would go alone in the local elections and also in the assembly elections also. However, other partners of Maha Vikas Agadi have denied that there are any differences between them.After Patole's statement, alliance partner Congress is in denial mode. Congress Legislature Party leader and Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat has said that the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections are far off and it is too early to say anything about them now.

The Maharashtra Congress observed June 19 as ‘Resolve Day ‘ to  mark the birthday of former party president and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi. Speaking at the inauguration of the refurbished Tilak Bhavan, the State party headquarters, Patole  said ‘We resolve to make  Congress the No. 1 party in the state.” Former Congress leader and BJP MLA Dr. Sunil Deshmukh rejoined the party on this occasion.

Thackeray Speaks

In an on line address on Saturday to party workers on the occasion of the Shiv Sena’s 55th foundation day, Chief Minister Uddhav Thakeray  said that all political parties should keep ambitions aside and focus on economy and health. Thakeray, without naming the Congress, said while people were battling Covid-19 and facing financial problems, slogans of going solo in polls were no good. He said “ People will beat us. What’s the use of this self-strength if people are being forced to beg on the roads?” Thackeray spoke about the importance of a federal structure while congratulating the voters of West Bengal and said that no political party has a patent on Hindutva as Sena still maintains it in its heart.

Reservation-Chakka Jam

In a meeting of OBC leaders from the BJP, held by opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis, it was decided that ‘Chakka Jam’ should be held on June 26 across 1000 sites to protest against the state government’s “failure” to retain OBC reservation in local bodies’ elections in Maharashtra. It was announced by BJP General Secretary Chandrashekhar Bawankule and the party’s all India secretary Pankaja Munde. The Supreme Court recently rejected the Maharashtra government’s revision petition for restoration of OBC reservation in local bodies’ poll. Meanwhile, the BJP has also constituted a Committee to pursue the Maratha reservation issue. The committee will be headed by state BJP president Chandrakant Patil.

Vaccination Scam

It was a relief for the people of Mumbai to know that the culprits of the fake vaccination camp have been discovered and four of them have been arrested. One person has been detained in Satna , Madhya Pradesh and will be soon brought to Mumbai. Besides Hiranandani Heritage in Kandivali, the gang had organized vaccination camps at two production houses, one college and some corporate houses in Kandivali, Borivali, Andheri, Parel and Thane. Meanwhile The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday submitted its investigation report in connection with a fake COVID-19 vaccination drive organized in a society at Kandivali in Mumbai. According to the report submitted by the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 7) Vishwas Shankarwar, the said vaccination camp held at Hiranandani Heritage Society in Kandivali in the western suburbs of the city, was done without BMC's permission or without any agreement with any hospital. The civic body said Kandivali police have started investigation in the case and arrested four suspects.  About 390 residents of Hiranandani Heritage society were vaccinated against COVID-19 in the housing complex in May. The beneficiaries paid a total of Rs. 4,56,000 which amounted to Rs. 1,260 each dose.But later they found that they had received certificates in the name of different hospital.