Opposition parties in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), today boycotted a customary tea meeting called by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on the eve of the monsoon session of the state legislature. The parties alleged there had been a deterioration in law and order, especially against the backdrop of the July 13 triple bomb blasts in Mumbai.
The decision was taken at a meeting organised by BJP leader Eknath Khadse, who is also the leader of opposition in the state assembly.
The Opposition parties also criticised the Congress-led government for its failure to curb rising prices and crime in the state. They also expressed concern over safety of women.
The Sena-BJP-MNS alliance came together during the July 22 by-election to the Rajya Sabha. The opposition-sponsored nominee Bal Mane (BJP) was defeated by Congress candidate Hussain Dalwai, who got 175 votes in the 287-member state assembly.
Khadse and Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai told reporters that the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party government had lost the moral right to rule the state. The ruling parties were busy hurling allegations against each other instead of addressing several burning issues faced by the state, they said.
The chief minister said the government was prepared to face the opposition onslaught during the monsoon session.
