Congress should withdraw its support to MVA government: Ramdas Athawale

Republican Party of India (RPI) (A) chief and Minister of State (MoS) in the Narendra Modi cabinet, Ramdas Athawale on Sunday claimed that the three-party alliance in Maharashtra has failed and Congress in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was not being involved in the decision-making process. 

“Although the MVA government came into power in Maharashtra with the support of Congress, it was not being taken into confidence in the decision-making process. Congress has expressed its displeasure regarding the same. If that is the case, it should withdraw its support,” Athawale asserted. 

For the past few days, there have been speculations of a rift between the three-party alliance with Congress asserting that it is not being involved in the decision-making process. It is also being said that the rift is in relation to Congress not being included in important meetings. 

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also pointed out that his party was just supporting the MVA government in Maharashtra and was not a key player in the decision-making process. However, the MVA leaders downplayed the claims made by Gandhi saying that his statements were being twisted. 

The Congress leader had later called up Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the phone to clear the air and said that his government has the full support of his party. 

In the latest revelation, the rift between the MVA government is over the number of legislative council seats in Maharashtra which have been vacated this month after 12 members of the state legislative council got retired. The appointments on the 12 seats will be done by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. 

Earlier, during the formation of the MVA government, the three alliance partners had decided that each party will get four seats. However, it is being said that the Shiv Sena is demanding five seats now and intends to leave Congress with only three seats. 

The internal sources have informed that Maharashtra Congress President Balasaheb Thorat and senior party leader Ashok Chavan will hold a meeting with Thackeray to discuss the same. 

The Congress leadership in Maharashtra is upset with Shiv Sena asking for five legislative council seats and was in no mood to compromise over the same like it did during the Maharashtra Legislative polls which were held unopposed. 

Also Read - MNS Launches Website To Provide Employment Opportunities To Marathi Youth