After an urgent meeting with executive members of the party, the BJP on Sunday said that it was ready to take on the forthcoming elections in 27 zila parishads and 10 municipal corporations in Maharashtra. Party state president Sudhir Mungatiwar conceded that 29 seats in Mumbai have been allotted to the RPI, however, the decision on which seats will be left for them, has not been finalised yet.
During the meeting, the BJP appealed to all office-bearers and workers to curb corruption. Mr Mungantiwar said that the only issue to be decided was of how many seats the BJP and Sena would give from their quota to make the 29 seats that the RPI would contest in Mumbai.
“In the 60 years, this state has never seen such an inoperative, senseless government. It only harps on false promises, as those made by the CM just hours prior to the implementation of the code of conduct. It has not completed any of the promises made in its last election manifesto either,” said Mr Mungatiwar. He added that the Congress-NCP government has failed to address several issues, including farmer suicides, Naxal violence, malnutrition, inflation, corruption etc.
Not wanting to discuss unpleasant incidents such as Rahuri MLA Shivajirao Kardile not getting bail in a murder case and internal strife among the party, Mr Mungatiwar claimed that all was well with the party.
However, Mr Mungatiwar did not dodge the issue of rebellion by MLC Dhananjay Munde, nephew of Gopinath Munde, deputy leader of BJP in Parliament. “The party is not going to soften its stand. We will take action against those who don’t abide by the party whip. However, we want to give due opportunity for defence. In a week, we will be receiving the report of the disciplinary committee after which due action will be taken,” he said.
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Hazare discharged from Pune hospital
Pratik Salunke
Mumbai, Jan. 8
Ailing anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare was discharged from Pune hospital on Sunday, after which he headed straight to his hometown Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar.
“My health was adversely affected due to the hungerstrike but now I am keeping well. As the doctors said, I will rest for a month,” Mr Hazare said after being discharged.
Unlike his usual stand of avoiding medication, the self styled Gandhian, who seems to have mellowed down for the last few days, said that he would follow the doctors’ advice. “I have been battling for 25 years, but this time my body is giving way. I will venture out again after doctors tell me I can,” he added.
Dodging queries about the corruption charges levelled against his team, the 74-year-old anti-corruption crusader said, “I was not connected with the outside world for over a week.” Regarding his proposed tour to the five poll-bound states to campaign, purportedly against corruption, Mr Hazare reiterated that he wouldn’t be able to travel until his doctors said so.