The Shiv Sena, which has decided to stay away from the swearing-in-ceremony of the first ever BJP government in Maharashtra this evening, has not given up hopes of making a come-back into the BJP alliance fold.
This is evident from an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamna , which chose to target the Congress for attacking the BJP for the reportedly ‘huge expenditure` being incurred on the much publicised oath taking ceremony.
After all its efforts to convince the BJP to include a content of its nominees in the government failed, the Sena on Thursday evening announced that it has chosen not to participate in the oath ceremony as the party was not treated with dignity.
“Some Congress leaders have criticised the amount that will be spent on this programme. This is an indication of their defeated state of mind,” said an editorial in Saamna .
Several activists and political leaders have criticised the BJP for spending crores of rupees of government’s money over the swearing in ceremony which will take place in Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium.
All top-most BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present. The party has invited celebrities from sports, film world and industry. Well-known designer Nitin Chandrakant Desai has been given the task of setting up a stage for the programme. A special cultural program will also be held prior to the ceremony.
The editorial said that those who are responsible to take this state on the path of bankruptcy through their corruption cases of thousands of crores are now shouting against the expenditure of this programme. “This is ridiculous,” it said.
The Sena meanwhile has clarified that it will not participate in the ceremony, citing disrespectful behaviour from the BJP.
Claiming that the previous governments are responsible for a debt of Rs 3.5 lakh crore against the state, the editorial said that today’s swearing in ceremony is to wipe out the sins committed in last 15 years of rule.
Extending best wishes to the Chief Minister designate, Devendra Fadanvis, the editorial said that he must work to work to stop the outflow of money from Mumbai to other states. “Maharashtra’s identity in last 15 years was of a state of scams. This swearing in ceremony will bring a new start and therefore the program must be of great standard,” it said.
