Attacking BJP and NCP’s Ajit Pawar for forming a government in Maharashtra, Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala placed 10 questions before the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a press conference held on Saturday, 23 November. Surjewala said that Ajit Pawar was frightened into forming an illegitimate government with BJP on account of corruption allegations levelled against him prior to elections.
“The BJP and Ajit Pawar have acted like Duryodhan and Shakuni to rip off and cheat a democratic mandate given by the people of Maharashtra. They have actually betrayed the people.”Randeep Surjewala
Terming the swearing-in of Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtra chief minister a "black chapter" in India's history, the Congress on Saturday said the BJP acted as a "contract killer" of democracy and that the governor once again proved to be BJP chief Amit Shah's "hitman".
Surjwala posed the following questions to BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
- Who and when was the promise to create a government in Maharashtra presented?
- How many from BJP and NCP signed the document to form a government?
- How did the Governor verify the signatures within an hour in the middle of the night?
- At what time did the Governor request the President to withdraw President’s Rule in Maharashtra?
- What time did the Union Cabinet meet last night and who all were the ministers?
- What time were the instructions from the Union Cabinet given to the President to withdraw President’s Rule?
- What time did the President accept the recommendation of the Union Cabinet?
- What time did Governor issue a letter to Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for the oath-taking ceremony?
- What time was the oath-taking ceremony?
- Why were no media (except a private news agency), no political party representatives, administrative officials of Maharashtra, eminent citizens and the Chief Justice of Maharashtra, invited to the swearing-in?
Surjewala said that while Fadnavis and the BJP had promised to send Ajit Pawar to Arthur Road Jail in the Rs 72,000-crore irrigation scam, post the election they have made him the deputy chief minister. "This is only possible in the Modi regime. That is why they say, 'Modi hai to mumkin hai' (It is possible under Modi)." he said.
According to latest reports, the Shiv Sena has approached Supreme Court over the coup.
(With inputs from PTI)
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