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Independents decide to stick by alliance government

In an age when marriage ceremonies and launch parties of audio-cassettes are either arranged in mid-air or on the high seas, not to be outdone perhaps, 27 Independent Maharashtra legislators who supporting the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance government, held a discussion on the high seas last Wednesday.

It was a floating dinner party, with the Arabian Sea lapping the ferry gently, and the cool summer-evening breeze to smoothen rough edges if any. However, there was nothing romantic about this outing: on the agenda was the question exercising many in Maharashtra: should the Independents continue to support the alliance government, or should they switch loyalties to the Congress?

The meeting assumed significance in the light of leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sharad Pawar's statement that 20 to 22 Independent legislators were planning to return to the Congress fold in Maharashtra.

However, the ruling alliance in the state received a shot in the arm when the legislators decided to continue their support to the government in lieu of a cabinet berth for one of their colleagues. Harshavardhan Patil and Anil Deshmukh are the front-runners for a cabinet berth when Chief Minister Manohar Joshi expands his cabinet some time in May.

"The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance enjoys the whole-hearted support of Independent MLAs, and this group will never return to the Congress," said Anil Deshmukh, spokesperson for the Independent MLAs, clarifying their stand.

Elaborating on Wednesday night's dinner session, Deshmukh said nothing much was discussed then and that another meeting will be held soon to discuss the matter threadbare.

Asked about the role of some legislators who openly campaigned for Congress candidates during the Lok Sabha election, Deshmukh admitted there were some differences but clarified that the circumstances in some constituencies were responsible for this. "One thing is absolutely clear, we will stand solidly behind the alliance government," Deshmukh said categorically.

However, the Independents bloc wants its pound of flesh, and has put forth three demands. These include two seats for Independent MLAs in the legislative council, election of an Independent to the Rajya Sabha and elevation of one of the six Independents who are currently of ministers of state to cabinet level.

Among those who attended the dinner on the high seas included, apart from Deshmukh and Patil, Minister of State for Transport Babasaheb Dhabekar, Minister of State for Public Works Shivajirao Naik, and former minister of state Ashok Patil-Dongaonkar. Among the absentees were Minister of State for Health Vijay Kumar Gavit and Minister of State for Rural Development Tukaram Dighole. While the former stayed away because of a relative having met with an accident, the latter had taken ill.

Compiled from the Marathi press by Prasanna D Zore

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