BJP-Sena ignoring peoples' plight: Maharashtra Opposition

 The opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-Congress allies on Tuesday attacked Maharashtra's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena combine for squabbling over power-sharing in the state and ignoring the plight of the suffering masses.

"The BJP-Sena are least concerned about the people and farmers facing huge problems due to unseasonal rains, cyclonic conditions and drought in different parts of the state. Their priority is who will become the CM and power-sharing," senior NCP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar told mediapersons here.

"They have contested the elections in alliance, but have failed to form the government so far. The people of the state are suffering due to various natural calamities and we are concerned for them," said state Congress President Balasaheb Thorat.

The duo were speaking to mediapersons after meeting Governor B.S. Koshyari to discuss the severe crop damage, homes and livelihoods of people and farmers across the state and seeking urgent compensation for them.

To a question on the reasons why the Cultural Affairs Minister called on the Governor, Pawar dismissively asked: "What is his locus standi? We could understand if it was the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis or state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil or Sena President Uddhav Thackeray..."

The Opposition delegation included leaders like state NCP chief Jayant Patil, Mumbai NCP chief Nawab Malik, ex-Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Congress legislator Amit Deshmkh, among others.

The delegation submitted a detailed memorandum listing the issues facing farmers, the damage to crops and farmlands and sought immediate compensation for them.IANS