Maharashtra govt silencing opposition, running state ‘Gujarat style’, says Nana Patole

NAGPUR: Former MPCC president and Congress MLA Nana Patole on Monday launched a scathing attack on the state government, accusing it of systematically suppressing the Opposition’s voice during the winter session of the legislature.Speaking to mediamen outside Vidhan Bhavan, Patole said the government had “removed the very wheel of democracy” by denying the Opposition the post of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Legislative Council. “The LoP is a vital pillar of democracy, and the government should be ashamed. The Council Chairperson is echoing the government’s language. They want to ensure the Opposition has no voice in the House,” he said.Patole dismissed the government’s numerical justification for withholding the LoP post, claiming no such guideline exists. “When we were in power, we granted the LoP post even to parties with just two seats. This government has been formed through manipulation,” he alleged.Taking aim at the ruling coalition’s leadership style, he said, “The Chief Minister is running Maharashtra in Gujarat style, following Modi’s model.”Patole also targeted deputy CM Ajit Pawar, alleging that voices within the ruling alliance were being suppressed in the wake of the Parth Pawar irregularities. “Ajit Pawar’s voice has been silenced. Even Shrikant Shinde’s voice has been muted. They are busy planning how to sell the state instead of ensuring transparency,” he said.He claimed the government would make no sincere effort to investigate the alleged scam. “I am sure they will not take the inquiry seriously. We will definitely raise the issue in the Assembly,” Patole added.The Congress leader also criticised the decision to restrict the winter session to just one week. “When they were in the Opposition, they demanded a two-week session. Now that they are in power, they have cut it down. Farmers are in dire condition because of their policies,” he said.Reiterating his stance that the Mahayuti won the state polls by manipulating the EVM, Patole said, “I will resign from politics if we do not win the ballot. But they must hold the ballot polls.”Patole’s sharp remarks set the tone for a confrontational start to the winter session, with the Opposition accusing the government of bypassing democratic norms and avoiding accountability.