Rebels may ditch Govt; but Rane isn’t worried

Suresh Nawale and Gulabrao Gawande, both former ministers, have joined hands with Naik, while former Tribal Development minister Govindrao Choudhary, former minister of state for Social Welfare Dilip Kambale and Vimal Mundhada, BJP legislator from Beed district are likely to come out in the open against the BJP leadership.

Pawar and Choudhary have convened a special meeting of the State’s tribal legislators on February 16 to decide the course ofaction.

However, Rane appears unperturbed, and banks on the support of Independents. “I am sure it will be smooth sailing for me. We will be able to secure more votes than the actual strength of the alliance, as a record number of 35 Independent legislators have extended unequivocal support to the alliance,” Rane said.

When his attention was drawn to the disgruntled members of the Shiv Sena and BJP, Rane said he did not believe anyone would defy the BJP whip issued in this regard.

Ministers belonging to the Shiv Sena and BJP echo the CM’s confidence. Neither the Naik group, nor the one led by A T Pawar, was in a position to topple the Rane Government, they said. “Ever since the alliance government came to power, there were reports of threats to it, but so far, not a single one has materialised, either in letter or spirit. Even during the winter session of the State Legislature, Naik had threatened to dislodge the alliance government, but his plan did not materialise as legislators of both parties arein no mood to defy the party leadership,” a senior BJP Minister added.

When Manohar Joshi was Chief Minister, 18 Independent legislators had extended support to his Government, but now, 35 of them, irked by the stand taken by Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Prataprao Bhosale, have stood behind the Government. Barring seven Independent legislators, who were members of the Joshi Cabinet, most of the Independents earlier supported the Congress.

Bhosale had urged Governor P C Alexander to recommend dismissal of the Government by invoking Article 356 of the Constitution.

“We are not in favour of dismissing the Government. Since the demand was made by Bhosale, we decided to support the alliance government. Accordingly, we have informed Alexander,” said an Independent legislator.

Governor P C Alexander had directed Rane to prove his majority on the floor of the House, following the demand raised by Congress leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and Madhukarrao Pichad. Accordingly, a special session hasbeen convened on February 17.

Congress and Opposition legislators will meet a day before the session to draft a strategy.