by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Lokmat Exclusive
Sena-NCP-Congress struggling to Obtain MLAs signatures
Governor’s rider Puts parties in the Dock
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Nov. 17
A simple rider by the Maharashtra Governor to Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress leaders to submit letters from individual MLAs of their respective parties in separate sheets “signed in Blue Ink”.
He wants that All MLAs should sign to say clearly that they support the formation of the new government.
The Leaders of their respective parties must counter sign and certify that the signatures so submitted are not obtained through coercion or other means.
Highly placed sources, on the condition of extreme confidentiality told Lokmat this evening that this rider has put spoke in the plans of the combined Opposition parties to form an alternative government. The leaders are now running after the MLAs to obtain their signatures individually and MLAs are putting their own conditions before signing these letters.
In fact, the governor refused to allow the MLAs to be paraded. He simply told the leaders to give him signed support letters of each MLA of their respective parties. This precedent had been adopted by the Governors in the past and that’s why the Opposition parties are not making hue and cry and keeping quiet on the issue.
Sources say at least half a dozen MLAs of Sena are unwilling to go with Congress or seeking their price for support. This is what the whole ruckus was making Uddhav Thackeray and his son to rush to the hotel to meet and pacify some of the MLAs yesterday. It’s the same story in Congress and NCP where each MLA is now wanting his own pound of flesh if he is not being made a Minister. There are more than 9 MLAs whose signatures had not been obtained until yesterday noon.
It is because of this very reason that senior Party functionary Ahmad Patel is working round the clock to prompt the party leaders in Maharashtra to obtain signatures as early as possible.
The crucial meeting of NCP chief Sharad Pawar with Sonia Gandhi has not been put off because of differences on Common Minimum Program (CMP) or power sharing arrangements. These continue to be on the table and under discussions. But at least 15-16 MLAs of the three parties have not signed the letters of support. If the number is not right, the three parties cannot submit the letters to the Governor. Hence, the delay.
Ends
