budget session: Shinde lashes out at Pawar in Assembly

Speaking for over 80 minutes, the chief minister lashed out at the opposition on Friday. He said, “BJP has a history of losing by-polls and then winning the entire state. As it happened in Uttar Pradesh, where BJP lost in the by-polls for four assembly constituencies, but won the state. And in Maharashtra, I am also with them, and as you know, I have a whole machinery for elections.”
Shinde said the government is thankful it lost the Kasba constituency by-poll, as it has drawn lessons from the defeat. “We will now work and win the hearts of these constituents,” he said.

He also criticised Pawar for making a political speech in response to the governor’s address. He said, “We did not expect this from you. I expected you to speak on governance and on the administration of this government. But your speech was political. It is evident this is the impact of stepping down from power in a hurry. Your vision is clouded and you cannot see the good things done by this government.”

Defending the BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra, Shinde said, “This government does not work by only keeping elections in sight. You have criticised us… the PM came for inauguration .. this happened due to elections, budget was presented … this happened due to elections. We always do good work.”

Shinde also accused Pawar of being a spokesperson for the Shiv Sena (UBT) and said maybe the party can give him the designation of a joint spokesperson.