Prithivraj Chavan says no scope for debate, dissent under Narendra Modi

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithivraj Chavan, in a searing attack on Narendra Modi, on Tuesday said his style of functioning has left corporate India worried as it leaves no room for debate and dissent. "Corporate India has realised that under Modi, there is no scope for debate and dissent. People of India have realised that Modi's leadership is dictatorial style," Chavan told reporters.

According to him, people have realised that the upcoming general elections were a battle of ideologies and which will decide the future of the country.

Criticising BJP for delaying its manifesto, Chavan said if Modi had his way, there would have been no manifesto. "His concept is I am the party and I am the manifesto. There is no need for discussions and deliberations." Hitting out at main Opposition party for its "ideological confusion", Chavan said a section of BJP wanted to focus on development issues and keep the issues of Uniform Civil Code, Ram temple and Article 370 on the back burner. While another section wanted to highlight them.

The Maharashtra CM alleged that BJP has used the TV medium and social media for its marketing and there was nothing worthwhile in its manifesto and policies. "There is no mention of which UPA policies they would scrap or strengthen if they come to power. BJP was just waiting for Congress to declare their manifesto and have indulged only in 'copy and paste'," Chavan alleged.

Speaking about campaigning for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections at 10 seats in Vidarbha region, which is going to polls on April 10, Chavan said the response to electioneering by Congress-NCP leaders has been good. "Party cadre morale is high and we expect to do well," he said.

Claiming that BJP and MNS were in a secret understanding to defeat Shiv Sena, Chavan said, "the internal dynamics of Opposition parties is such that BJP wants to go with one component of Shiv Sena and the original is getting a raw deal. It is upto the original, how it deals with the insults heaped by the Modi-led BJP."

The Maharashtra Chief Minister described as "petty minded" the decision of Gujarat government's co-operation department to issue notice to Mehsana Milk Federation which acted in good faith to provide cattle feed to help Maharashtra suffering from drought. "The action taken against the co-operative society was saddening," he said.

Also, Chavan justified withdrawal of Congress candidate Rajendra Gavit from Palghar saying that decision was taken to avoid division of secular votes in a triangular fight. "Sitting Palghar MP Baliram Jadhav has supported Congress-led UPA and we wanted Jadhav's Bahujan Vikas Agadhi to merge with us. First BVA leader Hitendra Thakur agreed and later backtracked. Its true we put up Gavit as our candidate but alliance talks can continue even after filing of nomination," he said.

Speaking about resentment of senior Congress leader A R Antulay over swapping of Raigad seat, Chavan said he had met Antulay and apprised him of the changed political equations in the district. "We had a good discussion," he said.