BJP slams Shiv Sena, Congress, NCP’s grand show of strength in Mumbai
BJP lashed out at the three alliance partners – Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP over their “show of strength” and said this is actually a hogwash not a parade.
FollowMumbai: Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Mallikarjun Kharge among top alliance leaders were present at the Hotel Grand Hyatt for the major "show of strength" as proof of their combined strength in the 288-member Assembly
As soon as their motto of showing more than 162 MLAs became successful, the hall was filled with chants of "Long live Maha Vikas Aghadi" where Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs had assembled.
Ashok Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat addressed the gathering and said that Fadnavis' tenure would come to an end very soon and that the Governor cannot ignore their numbers. They later added that they will thwart "all attempts of BJP" to break them. The alliance also claimed that the two MLAs from NCP except for Ajit Pawar have returned to the party, increase the party supporters to the alliance to 53.
“We are more than 162, not just 162. We all will be a part of the government. I thank Sonia Gandhi who gave her nod for this alliance to stop the BJP. The governor should invite us to form the government”, Congress leader Ashok Chavan said.
'We are 162' – this is our show of strength. "The first meeting of Maha Vikas Aghadi is happening here. This meeting is to tell the ones in minority to resign. We have given a letter of 162 signatures to the Governor's office. After seeing our strength, the CM should resign”, Congress' Babalasaheb Thorat said.
BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao slammed the three alliance partners and said it was not a show of strength but a mockery.
He said, “The show of strength looks more like insecurity of three parties. They are seeking a pledge of their own MLAs and we (BJP) feel that there is lack of leadership among them and trust deficit. They are carrying around their guilt which is clearly visible.”
“Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress should actually account for how the numbers are more as we don’t see any actual any parade. It is actually a hogwash not a parade, more of a flop show where they look like party cadres instead of MLAs”, Krishna added.
Earlier in the day, announcing the move on his Twitter handle, Sanjay Raut appealed to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to witness the "parading" of the legislators of the three parties. "We are all one and together, watch our 162 together for the first time at Grand Hyatt at 7 pm, come and watch yourself @maha_governor.”
He also tagged the official twitter handle of the Governor.
Krishan Saagar Rao said the Shiv Sena has no knowledge about the constitution and flexing their muscles for everything will not work in their favour.
“The leaders of Shiv Sena don’t know ABC of the constitution. They should know that muscles do not make things work. He’s not inviting a cousin but the Governor. They have no precedence and they should be ashamed of their behaviour,” Rao stated
The Supreme Court will hear a petition in this regard tomorrow morning. BJP spokesperson Krishna oozed confidence of proving majority during floor test and said, “We will wait for the Supreme Court’s order and then go for the floor test. We are sure that whenever the floor test is conducted, BJP will surely prove its majority.”
