Mumbai: Maharashtra Assembly’s budget session is set to begin on March 3. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, addressed a press conference ahead of the session on Sunday. They criticized the opposition for skipping the pre-session meeting, calling their approach uncoordinated.
CM Fadnavis mocked the opposition, saying their situation is more like “Hum Aapke Hain Kaun?“ rather than “Hum Saath Saath Hain,” implying a lack of unity among them. He also said the opposition’s 9-page letter listing concerns was based only on newspaper reports.
He said, “They had an opportunity for fluent conversation, but they did not attend the ‘Chahapan’ (snack meeting before the budget session).” However, he assured that the government would allow enough time for opposition leaders to voice their issues in the House.
Shinde dismisses rumours of internal conflicts in Mahayuti
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who will present the budget on March 10, also expressed disappointment that opposition leaders did not attend the pre-session meeting. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde dismissed rumors of internal conflicts within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, saying that they are united despite speculation.
He also took a dig at the previous MVA government, claiming that the current administration has restarted projects that were previously halted.
What’s likely to be discussed during budget session
The opposition is gearing up to raise multiple issues against the government during the session. Key topics include law and order concerns, Ladki Behen Yojana for women and the demand for resignations of ministers Dhananjay Munde and Manikrao Kokate. Another major point of discussion will be the financial impact of election promises. Ladki Behen Yojana alone is expected to cost Rs 35,000-40,000 crore annually, which, according to the opposition, will put pressure on other important schemes.
The opposition has yet to elect a leader of the opposition in the assembly due to their low numbers. Their decision to boycott the CM’s traditional tea party further signals their intent to confront the government aggressively.
The session, expected to last about 25 days, is likely to witness heated debates between the ruling alliance and the opposition, especially on economic policies and social welfare schemes.
