Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 6: The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday sharply criticised the BJP-led Maharashtra government, accusing it of taking decisions with an eye on upcoming local and civic body elections. It also targeted the State Election Commission (SEC) for announcing polls to 246 nagar parishads and 42 nagar panchayats without rectifying alleged errors in the electoral rolls, which opposition parties have repeatedly flagged.

In a scathing editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray-led faction said the state government “talks loudly but slips into a coma when it comes to implementation.”

The editorial claimed that the government suddenly turned “hyperactive” before the model code of conduct came into effect, issuing a record 220 government resolutions and passing 21 cabinet decisions on Tuesday — just before the SEC declared the election schedule.

“The administration was put into top gear ahead of the code of conduct, but the same government has failed to deliver timely financial relief to 68 lakh rain-affected farmers who are struggling this Diwali,” Saamana said.

It added that despite opposition parties unanimously highlighting flaws in the voter lists, the ruling alliance ignored calls for corrections and instead “imposed” elections on the people. “Only a few of the 33 districts have completed final panchanamas of crop damage. This is their idea of efficiency,” the editorial remarked.

According to Saamana, the government has been taking politically motivated steps in the run-up to the elections. It alleged that large sums — running into crores — were disbursed to municipal corporations, nagar parishads, and nagar panchayats for civic projects, while various community development corporations were given approval to roll out new schemes.

“The rulers suddenly remembered Baliraja (the farmer) and released a few thousand crores for agriculture-related programmes. This government is not run for the people, but for its own political gain,” the editorial charged.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) further questioned the timing of the government’s newfound urgency. “If the SEC hadn’t announced the elections on Tuesday, would the rulers have remembered farmers and the flood-hit so soon? Would they have realised that farmers need help to buy seeds?” it asked, claiming that the rush of decisions was aimed at securing dominance in the 246 nagar parishads and 42 nagar panchayats.

The editorial also took aim at Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for warning contractors to complete infrastructure projects on schedule. “Why are the works not finished on time instead of making empty threats? Who is responsible for delays and unpaid arrears? Why have so many contractors taken their own lives?” it questioned.

Concluding its critique, Saamana said the government’s flurry of decisions in recent days reflected not governance but political opportunism, motivated by the desire to consolidate power ahead of local body polls held after a gap of three and a half years.