Referring to a letter by the opposition, Fadnavis said, “It runs into nine pages. It has the names of nine opposition leaders of which seven have signed. All issues mentioned are based on newspaper reports and if they had read the government’s response to these articles, the opposition couldn’t have written even a half-page letter.“They said the government should have a dialogue with the opposition. When we call them for dialogue, they boycott. None of the senior opposition leaders were present at the meeting. Instead of ‘hum saath saath hai’, it’s ‘hum aapke hai kaun’ being played out in the opposition camp.”The chief minister said five bills would be introduced during the session, which will continue till March 26, and two debates on women’s empowerment and the Constitution will be held.He said soybean and tur procurement has been done in record numbers. “We have to acquire additional godowns,” he added.The CM said the government will table a balanced budget (on March 10) and ensure fiscal discipline. Flagship schemes will continue and only ineligible beneficiaries will be dropped, he said, referring to the Ladki Bahin’ programme.Fadnavis described the harassment of Union minister Raksha Khadse’s daughter as unfortunate, stressing those involved won’t be spared.Asked about the opposition’s demand for the resignation of NCP ministers Manikrao Kokate and Dhananjay Munde, he said a decision on Kokate would be taken after court order. “We have already clarified about the demand for Munde’s resignation,” he said.Agriculture minister Kokate was recently convicted by a magistrate’s court in a forgery case and sentenced to two years in jail. A sessions court in Nashik that has suspended his sentencing will give its decision on Kokate’s plea seeking a stay on the magistrate’s order on March 5.Munde has been facing opposition heat after the arrest of his close aide Walmik Karad in an extortion case related to the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.When told that Congress leader Sunil Kedar’s legislature membership was being terminated, Fadnavis said the decision was taken after the court refused to stay his conviction. In Kokate’s case, the sentence had been suspended, said the CM.About French consultant Systra’s allegations against MMRDA, Shinde said it had written on February 27 saying there was no financial irregularity concerning the planning body.Fadnavis said his government won’t compromise on transparency.
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