Opposition may attack Thackeray government over review of Infra project during winter session

Mumbai: Even though the Leader of Opposition (Lop) in Legislative Assembly, Devendra Fadnavis has clearly stated that he will not bring his friend and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray into any trouble for few months, Fadnavis and his party – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may raise questions over Thackeray government’s decision to review several infrastructure and irrigation projects which began during Fadnavis government.

All the attention will now be focused on how Devendra Fadnavis the friend, welcomes his friend Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in his native Nagpur for the week long winter session of the state legislature that begins from December 16. Will the recent bitterness between the two estranged saffron allies lead to a prolonged political winter, or will sparks fly, or will it lead to rekindling of any warmth in their ties? It would be too early to say as Fadnavis says he is willing to give his friend some time to settle into his new job.

The Thackeray government during its  two week’s tenure, has stalled ongoing infrastructure projects like Aarey Metro 3 car shed project (Rs 15,000 crore), stopped work of irrigation projects which had received Revised Administrative Approval (RAA) – especially from Jalgon district in the name of review of the decisions taken by the previous Fadnavis government.  

The government has already indicated that it is not keen on the Rs 5 trillion refinery and petrochemical project at Nanar in Raigad and Rs 1.2 trillion Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train. Other projects under review are the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Corridor (Rs 50,000 crore), coastal road project (Rs 12,000 crore) and a third bridge on Thane creek (Rs 800 crore).

All these projects were initiated by the ex-CM Devendra Fadnavis and the Samruddhi Corridor was his dream project. The BJP and Fadnavis may raise doubt over the intentions of the Thackeray government. The BJP members in both the House may attack Thackeray government which has been renamed as Maha Vikas (development) Aghadi, by Maha Vinash (destroy) Aghadi. 

On the other hand, Fadnavis has still hopes that the MVA coalition government led by Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress will fall apart very soon and Sena will join hands of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form the Yuti government. Hence, Fadnavis is expected not to attack the newly formed government during winter session scheduled from December 16 in Nagpur.

Fadnavis has clearly stated that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is his friend. Fadnavis had also said that he will respond positively to Thackeray who had stated that Fadnavis is his friend and will expect support on development issues. The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the state assembly and legislative house has finalised business of six days for both the House of state legislature. 

The House will discuss on Governor’s speech and Supplementary demands made on the budget. The House will also discuss various ordinances issued by the state government that need to be converted into an act. As the session will work for one week only, and the Maha Vikas Aghadi has completed just two weeks, the opposition BJP is not expected to raise big issues. However, they may raise the decisions of reviewing infrastructure projects.