In ‘Coalition of Contradictions’, Shiv Sena Signs up for 'Secular' Values

The ‘Coalition of Contradictions’, which is set to take power in Maharashtra, has settled one of the most contentious issue among them – introduction of the word ‘secular’ in the very first sentence of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP). With Hindutva Right-wing Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray at the helm of the Sena-NCP-Congress government to be sworn-in, this is indeed an ironic turn of events in Maharashtra’s politics.

“The Alliance Partners commit to uphold the secular values enshrined in the Constitution,” begins the CMP of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Congress with other smaller parties. Signed by Chief Minister designate and Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP's Jayant Patil and Congress's Balasaheb Thorat, the document was released at a press conference in Mumbai on Thursday. 

In an admission of the differences that could crop up in the coalition, especially with regard to Sena’s history of Right-wing politics, the CMP says that “on contentious of national importance as well as of state importance, especially having repercussions/consequences on the secular fabric of the nation, the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress will take a joint view after holding consultations and arriving at a consensus. 

In other contentious issues, the CMP promises to give immediate loan waiver to farmers, especially those suffering from losses due to heavy rains. The MVA also pledges to revive the crop insurance scheme and immediate measures to ensure remunerative prices of farm produce. 

For employment, the MVA also declared immediately starting of the process of recruitment for vacant government posts. Fellowships for educated unemployed youth is also a priority, it said. MVA’s common minimum programme also promises law on 80% job reservation for local/domicile youths. 

In another major announcement through the CMP, the MVA promises tenements 500 sq feet area under slum rehabilitation authority scheme, as also improved roads in urban areas under the proposed Chief Minister’s Urban Road Scheme.

Among the other promises made, the MVA has assured higher honorarium  for Anganwadi and ASHA workers, free education for girls from economically weaker sections and working women hostels across cities and districts headquarters.

In keeping with Sena’s pre-poll manifesto (Sena had fought the elections in alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party), the CMP also included the provision of a lunch thali at Rs 10 for the people of the state, on the lines of the Amma canteens in Tamil Nadu, introduced by late chief minister J Jayalalithaa and replicated by many other states later.

The CMP also promises to open Re 1 clinics in talukas for pathological tests, as also “health insurance cover to every citizen of the state.”

The MVA also declared two coordination committees to run the government smoothly. One will be within the state cabinet and another will be about alliance partners. The second coordination committee will have significant political role to play in the functioning of the government.