Mumbai: The difficulties for the Uddhav Thackeray government seem to be far from ending anytime soon. Even before it could survive the initial turbulence, one of the allies of the tripod government, Congress has threatened to walk out if Shiv Sena violated Constitutional frame work of functioning of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray became chief minister of the state two months ago amidst much fanfare. His decision to align with Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and form the tripod government to become chief minister is proving to be pain in neck as Shiv Sena is forced to eat its own words on many crucial issues such as Veer Savarkar among others. Earlier Sena leaders had to resort to damage control after inconvenient statements by party MP and editor of party mouthpiece Saamana Sanjay Raut.
But now they are forced to run around to defend the party from its own allies. In a recent such attack, Shiv Sena leaders had to do much jugglery after Congress leader Ashok Chavan claimed that Shiv Sena was made to give an undertaking that it will not resort to any anti – Constitutional act before agreeing to the alliance.
Speaking at a programme to launch Shiv Bhojan Scheme at Nanded, Chavan said that party president Sonia Gandhi was against the alliance with Shiv Sena in the state. “Difference of ideologies was the biggest hurdle in formation of the alliance. It was only after Shiv Sena gave it in writing that it will function within the Constitutional framework that approved of the alliance” Chavan said, adding that, “Congress will not think twice to walk of the alliance if Shiv Sena violates the Constitutional framework.”
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya promptly took up the matter and demanded an explanation. “If Ashok Chavan claims that Shiv Sena was made to give an undertaking, it is the right of people to ask if the later has given any other assurance to Congress. People must know to what extent Shiv Sena has surrendered to Sonia Gandhi.”
The claim has sent ripples across Shiv Sena. The party immediately resorted to damage control and PWD Minister Ekanth Shinde denied the claims. “We have not given any undertaking of any sort. We have only agreed to abide by the Common Minimum Programme to run the government. It is our obligation to function within Constitutional framework,” Shinde said.
