Latest news with #Wadettiwar
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Month after RaGa claims of Maha poll rigging, Wadettiwar blames arrogance, infighting for MVA's debacle
Nagpur: A month after senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused BJP of rigging the Maharashtra assembly polls last year, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar admitted that arrogance and internal disarray within the Opposition cost its shot at power. The candid admission comes nine months after the MVA was decimated by the BJP-led Mahayuti, which comprised Eknath Shinde's Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP faction. Mahayuti won 235 seats while MVA managed to secure only 46. Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, the Congress legislative party leader acknowledged BJP's strategic advantage while admitting everyone in the Opposition was planning to be chief minister. "That delusion cost us dearly," he said. "What Uddhav Thackeray said is true and what I am saying is also true," Wadettiwar said, referring to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief's recent criticism of alliance mismanagement. "After our Lok Sabha gains, all three MVA partners became overconfident." The Bramhapuri MLA revealed that the alliance squandered nearly 40 days in unproductive meetings. "We sat through 28–30 discussions trying to iron out seat-sharing. No one wanted to compromise. That greed, that delay, allowed BJP to pull ahead," he said. "We didn't lose to the lost to ourselves." Wadettiwar alleged that voter list discrepancies went unnoticed because the alliance was consumed with internal negotiations. "We failed to focus on ground realities. BJP planned, we procrastinated," he said. Turning his fire on the ruling party, Wadettiwar accused BJP of weaponising central agencies and using cash inducements to engineer defections. "Let's not pretend, the so-called allies of BJP are not partners but prisoners," he said, referring to Eknath Shinde's Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP faction. "They're yoked to BJP's bullock cart. Fadnavis holds the horn, and they go wherever he steers." In a veiled dig at alleged horse-trading, he claimed, "Former corporators are being bought for ₹2 crore, bank representatives for ₹1 crore. It's a full-fledged market." Asked about a potential Uddhav-Raj Thackeray reunion, he called it a "family matter," adding, "They are cousins. If they reunite, we won't interfere." Wadettiwar criticised BJP's handling of linguistic identity politics. "Hindi isn't our enemy, but it's not our mother tongue either. BJP is exploiting this issue to splinter Marathi votes in Mumbai."
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Don't sign Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, send it back to state govt, Maha Vikas Aghadi urges governor
Mumbai: A delegation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), led by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve, called on governor C P Radhakrishnan on Friday and urged him not to sign the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill 2024. The delegation also demanded that the governor send the bill back to the state govt and ask for it to be reconsidered by the legislature. Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar said the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill 2024 was passed without taking the opposition into confidence or allowing them to speak. "We had some objections to the bill, but we were not taken into confidence or asked about our suggestions. This bill will be used to hide failures of the state govt and suppress those who speak against it," he said. "There are many laws, so what was the need for this bill? This is not a public security bill, but a govt security bill. If this bill is for leftist ideology then tomorrow, those who commit extremist acts, any anti-national acts in this state, will action be taken based on ideology? Because an extremist is an extremist. Whether he is leftist or right wing, we have presented a clear position to the governor in this regard. We have told the governor that this bill is an attack on the rights of the common man and the Indian Constitution. Therefore, we have demanded that he send the bill back to the state govt for reconsideration," Wadettiwar added. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The MVA delegation also discussed the violent clash in Vidhan Bhavan with Radhakrishnan, said Wadettiwar. "This incident has tarnished Maharashtra's image not only in the country, but also around the world. Legal action should be taken against the goons who carry out such attacks," he said. "We did not make a demand for President's rule, but we discussed improving the law and order situation in the state. Nowadays, accused are seen roaming with ministers and ruling party MLAs. Recently, a goon in Pune raised a ruckus in the police station."
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
How was security bill passed sans protest: Cong to CLP neta
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress has sought an explanation from the party's legislature body on the passage of the special public security bill in the assembly last week without any protest from the party. State party chief Harshwardhan Sapkal wrote a letter to Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday to explain how the bill was allowed to be passed without Congress registering its opposition, sources said on Thursday. Sapkal has sought an explanation from Wadettiwar on directives of the party high command, they said. Talking to reporters, Wadettiwar admitted he has been asked to give an explanation and said he was not aware the bill was to be taken up in the assembly on July 10 - the day he was in his home district Chandrapur for a bank election - otherwise he would have "torn" the bill. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Last week, both houses of the legislature passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, which seeks to prevent unlawful activities of left-wing extremist organisations. The bill, which has stringent provisions, including hefty fines and jail term up to seven years for those who are found guilty, has sparked criticism from some civil society groups and the opposition parties, who view it as a tool to suppress dissent under the pretext of national security. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola When the bill was to be taken up for passage in the assembly on July 10, notes containing pointers to speak in the House were circulated to all party MLAs, sources said. "But our CLP leader remained absent that day," a source said. The next day, Congress MLCs protested and staged a walkout in the Upper House after voicing opposition to the bill, as the party issued a strict directive that what happened in the assembly should not be repeated in the council, sources said. On June 30, when All India Congress Committee's Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala called a meeting of state party leaders, it was decided to oppose the bill. But in the assembly, only the lone CPI (M) MLA opposed the bill.
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra: Opposition objects to political remarks made by NCP MLA while presiding in Assembly
The Opposition on Friday took a serious objection to the political remarks made by Legislative Assembly presiding officer and NCP MLA Chetan Tupe while conducting the business. Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar too expressed displeasure over Tupe's behaviour. The issue was raised by the Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar and it was supported by Bhaskar Jadhav (Shiv Sena UBT) and Nana Patole (Congress). The Opposition said that it was not acceptable demanding that the dignity of the chair should be maintained. Speaker Rahul Narvekar took a serious note and expressed displeasure saying that such incidents should not happen in future. 'Those sitting as presiding officers should maintain the letter and spirit of the law. It is necessary for the presiding officers to work within the framework of the rules given by the Constitution,' he said. The Speaker assured that the chair of the Speaker will not be used for political purposes. He also told the house that he will take a decision in this regard in his chamber. Earlier, Wadettiwar strongly criticised the presiding officer for his political remarks during the discussion on a motion on farmers suicides and the present state of agriculture amid government's apathy. Wadettiwar read some of the political remarks made by presiding officer Chetan Tupe. 'While the discussion was on, the Agriculture Minister and the officials of that department were not present, but the work continued. Does presiding officer Chetan Tupe have the right to sit in the chair and present the government's position? While the chair has a certain dignity, it is not right to make political speeches from there, such a thing has not happened in the past,' he said. He further said, 'The presiding officer in his statements targeted opposition members for their absence while saying they speak about farmers but skip the proceedings.' 'While it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the House functions properly, it is the responsibility of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to see whether the ministers of the department are present in the house. In such a case, the custom and tradition of the House should be followed from the highest position in the House,' said Wadettiwar.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Wadettiwar Slams Govt Over ‘Empty Promises', Demands Loan Waiver for Farmers
Nagpur: Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Friday launched a sharp attack against the BJP-led Maharashtra govt, accusing it of deceiving farmers with unfulfilled promises and reduced compensation. He demanded the immediate implementation of a blanket loan waiver and said, "Farmers don't want any more committees. They want justice." Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on a proposal concerning agrarian issues, the Bramhapuri MLA said that the govt had slashed previously announced compensation rates after the election. "Before elections, it promised Rs13,500 per hectare for dry crops, Rs27,000 for irrigated land, and Rs36,000 for orchards, with an eligibility cap of 3 hectares. Now they've quietly reduced it to Rs8,500, Rs17,000 and Rs22,000 respectively with a 2-hectare limit," he said. Referring to the govt's pre-poll pledge of full loan waivers, Wadettiwar questioned why a committee was now being proposed. "Where is the waiver you promised? If you meant to form a committee later, why did you not say so in your manifesto?" he asked. Criticising the state's agriculture minister for 'repeatedly insulting farmers', Wadettiwar added, "He says the agriculture department is like a powerless village chiefdom. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo That mindset shows how insensitive he is. If he can't respect farmers, he must resign." He also demanded that the state ensure fair minimum support prices for soybean and rice, which he alleged were currently being sold below cost. "Farmers haven't received paddy payments. They're struggling. Inputs like fertilisers and pesticides have become expensive, while the MSP is stagnant. You give Rs6,000 through PM-Kisan and then hike input prices. What kind of relief is that?" Wadettiwar asked. Taking aim at what he described as govt hypocrisy, he added, "You waive corporate loans and subsidise mega projects but turn a blind eye to dying farmers. Is your compassion only reserved for industrialists?"
