If MVA wins Maharashtra, Narendra Modi won't stay in power: Congress' Vijay Wadettiwar

Vijay Wadettiwar, senior Congress leader and leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, says a victory for the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the upcoming assembly elections could go as far as harming stability and the longevity of the Narendra Modi government in power. Center. Wadettiwar alleged that the Mahayuti government in the state is involved in irregularities, including granting land to the Adani group for the Dharavi renovation project, India's largest slum. Edited excerpts from an interview with Dhaval S. Kulkarni of INDA TODAY.

On the issues that will dominate the legislative elections.

A. There are many problems. Around 70 percent of the various government contracts were awarded to those in Gujarat. A man from Gujarat (the Adani group) gets 550 acres of land, valued at Rs 2.5 lakh crore as per market rates, at a throwaway price. Prime land in Mumbai is offered [to the Adani Group].

Recruitments in the government are being done on contractual basis through companies and reservations are being done away with. More than 100,000 positions have been filled on a contractual basis. At a time of high unemployment, such actions amount to cheating the youth and also amount to removing quotas. This has had a negative impact on Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Many industries from Maharashtra are also shifting to Gujarat at a time when lack of jobs is a major problem in the state. The inflation problem also persists. Soya and cotton producers do not benefit from remunerative prices. Soybean farmers are forced to sell their produce at Rs 4,000 per quintal, which is Rs 1,200 less than the minimum support price (MSP). The condition of cotton farmers is similar. Around 1.3 million hectares of standing crops were destroyed due to the rains, and farmers were not compensated.

Political parties were divided and central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were putused on a large scale in Maharashtra. Many leaders facing allegations/charges of corruption were forced to join the party (BJP).

The public order situation has deteriorated. Government figures reveal that seven farmers commit suicide every day in Maharashtra. The level of corruption is very high. Over the last two and a half years, tenders worth Rs 7 lakh crore have been distributed and not even a single tender is below the benchmark rate. Some are even 30 percent above that price. Besides, the state's debt burden increased from Rs 2.5 lakh crore in 2014 to Rs 9 lakh crore in 10 years.

On the Ladki Bahin project and the fear of competitive populism.

A. The government has put out calls for tenders for unwanted work because it wants to get a piece of it. These commissions are as high as 30 percent, but they say there is no money for social programs. These programs will have funds if commissions and corruption are controlled. The money spent in this way can be used for the Ladki Bahin program.

There is no question of opposing the Ladki Bahin project. We will increase the monthly payment as Rs 1,500 is too less considering inflation and prices of essential commodities like edible oil, tur dal, chana dal and maida. The prices of diesel, gasoline and LPG are also soaring. How will a simple aid of Rs 1,500 compensate for this? Goods and Services Tax (GST) is also charged on essential goods at the rate of 18 percent. We will instead give Rs 2,000 per month.

Whether the trends seen in the Lok Sabha elections will continue in the Assembly polls.

A. If we win Maharashtra, Narendra Modi will not be able to stay in power. If Modi continues to stay in power, the Constitution will be chipped and distorted every day, and democracy will be strangled. The outcome [of this regime] will start from Maharashtra. The Constitution and our democracy will survive if we win Maharashtra. If we win, the crutches that support the Modi government will fall. A victory for us in Maharashtra would generate tremors that would shake Modi's chair.

On the opposition chief ministerial candidate MVA.

A. We have reached a consensus that a leader will be appointed after the elections. The three Congress parties, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), will sit together and decide.

On the perception that the opposition failed to define the narrative in this election.

A. New issues like the looting of Maharashtra and its Dan (donation) in Gujarat are at the forefront. Industries are shifted to Gujarat. Crimes against women are on the rise. Land is given to Adani (for the Dharavi redevelopment project). Isn’t it corruption to give away land worth Rs 1 lakh crore for a pittance?

On the Dharavi redevelopment project.

A. We will make things right. The land of Maharashtra should not be handed over to an industrialist at a disposable price. This should be canceled or the appropriate rates charged.