BJP,Sena differ on protest against Ajit

Differences between NDA partners Shiv Sena and BJP came out in the open on Monday over their stand on agitation against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. While the BJP was keen to restore the functioning of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council,Sena demanded that their protest should continue till Pawar’s resignation.

Sena members in the council walked in to the well and squatted on the floor raising anti-Pawar slogans. On the other hand,BJP Leader of the Opposition Vinod Tawde said as decided in a joint meeting of Opposition parties they wanted to restore work in both Houses. The Houses have been adjourned for four days over Pawar’s remarks on drought and load-shedding.

“We acted as per the decision taken in the meeting,” said Tawde.

Shiv Sena MLCs Diwakar Raote,Ramdas Kadam,Vinayak Raut,Anil Parab and Neelam Gorhe,among others,sat in the well of the House. Council Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh allowed both Raote and Kadam to speak on the issue even as Congress and NCP members protested,arguing that it was affecting the functioning of the House.

“It is pointless to raise the Ajit Pawar issue when he has already apologised in the House,” said an NCP member.