Disputes still dogging alliance

Contrary to the initial expectations and media reports that the Cabinet meeting will be a stormy affair over the multi-crore slum housing project and the autocratic style of functioning of Joshi, the meeting ended on a positive note following the initiative taken by Dange, Khadse and Dake.

As the weekly Cabinet meeting was about to begin, Rural Development Minister Anna Dange sought the permission of the chief minister to make some observations on the ongoing cold war between Sena and BJP. Dange first asked the bureaucrats to leave the hall and then explained the need to strengthen the alliance since the Assembly elections were round the corner.

He was supported by Irrigation Minister Eknath Khadse and Industries Minister Leeladhar Dake, who stressed the need to create an atmosphere of confidence. They asked Joshi and Munde to take a lead in creating an healthy atmosphere in the government. Much to the surprise of the Cabinet members, neither Joshi nor Munde made any observations on Dange8217;s plea.

Both the Sena as well as BJP ministers believe that the peace restored at the instance of Sena chief Bal Thackeray will not last long as relations between the alliance partners have reached such a stage that they cannot stay together.

8220;The recent developments have created confusion among the rank and file of both BJP and Sena and as such, it will be difficult to continue in the alliance,8221; says a BJP minister.

On the contrary, Sena ministers feel that the crisis situation has been created by the BJP with an eye on the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Elaborating his contention, the Sena minister said Munde8217;s letter makes it clear that BJP is preparing grounds to separate from the alliance.

In his confidential8217; letter, Munde mentioned that the lands to marginal farmers have not been restored, a separate corporation for the Other Backward Class has not been created despite a specific demand and that a separate department for nomadic tribe has not been set up in Mantralaya. In addition, Munde has also raised the question of withdrawing cases against political activists.

Alleging that the BJP is not concerned with the welfare of either the marginal farmers or the OBCs, the Sena minister felt that the former was raking these issues with an eye on the vote bank.

Referring to the role of the chief minister in the present crisis, the Sena minister said this time too Joshi has succeeded in resolving the crisis.

Significantly, though Joshi claimed that he will complete his five-year term since he has the blessings of Thackeray, neither Sena nor the BJP ministers were sure of the chief minister8217; claim. 8220;Though a peace agreement was reached between the alliance partners at the instance of Thackeray, the political situation in the State is very fluid. We are not sure if Joshi will continue in the office,8221; says a BJP minister.

Some of the BJP ministers are also unhappy with the style of functioning of the deputy chief minister. 8220;We feel that he adopted a very mild stand at the August 19 meeting. Since the BJP-led government at the Centre is dependent on the Sena to some extent Sena has six MPs, Munde must have taken a lenient view of the political situation,8221; the BJP minister remarked.