Opposition ‘directionless’, LoP decision rests with presiding officers: Fadnavis

“The opposition’s press conference appeared full of frustration and theatrics. It is not the government’s role to announce the Leader of Opposition. Only the Speaker and the Council Chairman have the authority to do so,” Fadnavis said.

The CM also claimed the opposition had submitted a representation regarding their boycott but it was without signatures from the NCP (SP) leader.

Fadnavis said the session will last for a week as the model code of conduct is in place for the local body polls. “Despite the short duration, we plan to do maximum business and take decisions in the interest of Vidarbha and Marathwada,” he said.

On farmer issues, Fadnavis said 92 per cent of rain-affected farmers have received financial aid, while the remaining will get it after their Know Your Customer (KYC) details are updated. “The Opposition is making accusations without studying the issue. My government is ready to debate on any issue raised in the legislature,” he said.

He also informed reporters that Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who was in Bahrain for his son’s wedding, has landed in Pune and will arrive in Nagpur by tonight.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said the delay in counting of votes for the local body polls held on December 2 had saved the opposition from loss of face in the session. “The Mahayuti contested together in some places. In some other places we had friendly fights. We will win more than 70 per cent seats,” Shinde said.

Responding to Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar’s remarks that he should focus on the development of Vidarbha, Fadnavis said the government had already prioritised regional issues. “Wadettiwar has made comments without any study. He seems eager to project Maharashtra as a financially mismanaged state, but that is far from reality,” he said.
Fadnavis said Maharashtra was among the top states adhering to Union government fiscal norms despite financial stress.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also criticised the opposition for “lacking seriousness” about Vidarbha’s concerns. “The opposition seems more interested in creating spectacles outside Vidhan Bhavan than raising real issues inside it,” he said.