Given the challenges facing the country, MVA should remain together in next polls too: Ashok Chavan

Ashok Chavan (63), former chief minister and one of the foremost INC leaders in the state is the PWD minister in the MVA government. He took time off to answer questions on the coalition completing two years in office. Excerpts from the interview:

The MVA coalition is a union of unlikely partners yet it seems to be having a smooth run. What accounts for this?

India has seen a number of experiments with coalition governments both at the Union and state levels. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra is one such experiment. While Congress and NCP had been running governments together for 15 years, this was our first experience of working with the Shiv Sena.

Between 2014 and 2019, democratic values were kept aside, power and money were used arbitrarily and people were deceived. Even a threedecades-old alliance partner like the Shiv Sena was subjected to BJP's repression and duplicity. Maha Vikas Aghadi was formed with the objective of providing a stable government and uphold democratic values.

People have noticed that there is hardly any conflict between the coalition partners. To what do you attribute this?

In many districts of Maharashtra, two out of the three parties-- Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena-- are each other’s main rivals. In such a scenario, it was natural for different views to be expressed on some issues. There have been some disagreements. Minor and some major grievances had to be addressed. There are also certain expectations from legislators and activists. Minor disputes sometimes cropped up while satisfying these expectations. But we made our way through it because of our ‘Minimum Common Programme’; there is also regular dialogue between the three parties. The experiment was also received well by workers of all the three parties.

How have you managed to ward off pressure put by the BJP?

The BJP has been trying to destabilise the government. They first tried to divide the three parties. When that failed, they started defaming the government. Attempts are now being made to discredit the state government. Even central agencies are being misused.

So many allegations were made in the Sushant Singh Rajput suicide case. Following the lynching of sadhus in Palghar, an attempt was made to spread false propaganda. As a responsible opposition, instead of raising issues of the people, BJP focused on overthrowing the government. Baseless and headline grabbing allegations were levelled as part of their agenda to discredit the state government.

All these tactics of the BJP and their greed for power are now being noticed by people. As a result, BJP’s image in the minds of the people has taken a beating. Results of the recent Gram Panchayat, Vidhan Parishad elections as well as Zilla Parishad and Assembly by-elections, which went against the BJP, are a pointer.

In this coalition we hear a lot more about the Shiv Sena and NCP than about the Congress. Why is that?

Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray is the Chief Minister. Our government also has a Deputy Chief Minister in NCP's Ajit Pawar. So, these two are the obvious ones visible in the decision-making process, but while taking decisions, all three of us take them together.

In the last two years, the Congress has played its part. At times we have been assertive and even aggressive. It is not that one party is dominant and the role of others is secondary. Moreover, the working style of Congress is also somewhat different. That may be the reason for this perception.

How about the next term though? Will the partners stay together or go separately?

Given the current challenges facing the country, my personal opinion is that they should remain together. Of course, care must be taken not to jeopardize the interests of the party. In the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, alliances are decided at the central level. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the forthcoming elections. The MVA government is stable. There is no doubt in my mind that this government will complete its five-year term. I am also confident that response of the Congress will be positive for those who are willing to work hand in hand for protecting democracy and the Constitution of India.

What are the challenges you face as a government and as a political party?

The economy was hit hard by layoffs and lockdowns in the wake of the terrible global pandemic. In 2020-21, the state lost more than one lakh crore rupees in revenue. Financial resources had to be diverted to the public health system. Development work was cut short. It also affected the Public Works Department. Several projects could not be started on time due to lack of funds.

Demonetisation, GST and the pandemic have crippled businesses and industry. Job creation has stalled or declined. We also faced heavy and unseasonal rains and storms. The impact of all these disasters on social life and the deteriorating state of the economy have been some of the major challenges.

Municipal and Zilla Parishad elections are round the corner. Our objective will be to increase the strength of the Congress party, empower workers, solve problems of the people and ensure justice for tribals, Dalits, minorities and women.

You are a former chief minister. How is your relationship with the current chief minister?

I have known chief minister Uddhav Thackeray for long but this is my first experience of working with him. I have enjoyed a very good relationship with him. He is openminded and discusses and communicates with colleagues in the cabinet on important issues. I have personally offered several suggestions to him in the past and he took them all seriously.

(This interview was first published in National Herald on Sunday)