Fadnavis defends UCC decision; says up to Sharad Pawar and Sunetra to take call on NCP merger

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday defended his government's decision to draft a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), asserting that the Constitution itself directs the state to work towards its implementation, while accusing Opposition leaders of attempting to undermine public confidence in constitutional institutions.

Responding to criticism from AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Fadnavis said the UCC was rooted in the Directive Principles of State Policy and could not be described as an initiative outside the constitutional framework.

"Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution has given us fundamental rights and incorporated Directive Principles of State Policy. One of these directives says every state should bring a Uniform Civil Code. Who has written this? The Constitution of India. It is a constitutional responsibility," he said.

The chief minister was speaking to reporters during a Diwali gathering hosted at his official residence, Varsha, in south Mumbai.

𝗨𝗖𝗖 𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀

Fadnavis said the Directive Principles, unlike fundamental rights, were not enforceable by courts, as their implementation required time and consensus among citizens.

"If Owaisi had read the Constitution a little, he would not have said that we are bringing this outside its framework or considering ourselves bigger than the Constitution. The Constitution itself has directed us to do this," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Owaisi had opposed the proposed UCC in Maharashtra, alleging that the exercise was aimed at imposing a "Hindu Civil Code" on non-Hindus.

Fadnavis rejected the criticism, maintaining that the proposed legislation was consistent with the constitutional objective of working towards a common civil code.

𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁

The BJP leader also dismissed Rahul Gandhi's allegations that the ruling party was weakening democratic institutions and feared the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

He accused the Opposition of deliberately questioning the credibility of institutions, including the Supreme Court, Election Commission, Parliament, Comptroller and Auditor General and Reserve Bank of India.

According to Fadnavis, the Opposition was attempting to create a narrative suggesting that institutions established under the Constitution were incapable of delivering justice or protecting citizens.

"The ultimate aim is to create a situation where people believe that the institutions created by the Constitution cannot deliver justice or protect them," he said.

The chief minister alleged that Opposition parties were seeking to create conditions resembling political unrest witnessed in neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

"We believe decisions should be taken in Parliament. But if they have decided not to debate there and fight on the streets, we are also ready to take to the streets and expose them," he said.

On the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, introduced to curb urban Naxalism, Fadnavis said the legislation had been enacted recently and its implementation remained in the initial stages.

𝗚𝗼𝗸𝘂𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝘄

Addressing the controversy surrounding the Kolhapur-based Gokul Dairy cooperative, Fadnavis maintained that his government was supporting the institution rather than any particular individual.

The dispute arose after the BJP-led Mahayuti government issued an ordinance nominating four additional directors with voting rights to the cooperative's board.

In elections held last month for the 25-member board of the Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd, the panel led by Congress MLC Satej Patil secured a narrow majority with 13 seats, while the Mahayuti-backed panel won 12.

The government's subsequent decision to appoint four additional directors drew criticism from Opposition parties, which questioned the timing and implications of the move.

"I am supporting the institution (Gokul Dairy), not any individual. I am not behind any particular person," Fadnavis said.

He defended the appointments, saying all four nominees had experience in the cooperative sector and their credentials had been certified by the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies.

The chief minister said the controversy had acquired a political dimension despite the cooperative having only about 5,000 voters.

Gokul Dairy has an annual turnover exceeding Rs 4,000 crore.

Later on Tuesday, NCP leader and former MLA Rajesh Patil, a Mahayuti candidate, was elected chairman of the cooperative.

BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik said Patil secured 16 votes in the closely contested election.

𝗡𝗖𝗣 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

On speculation about a possible merger of the two NCP factions, Fadnavis said only Sharad Pawar and Sunetra Pawar, who head the rival groups, could clarify whether reunification was under consideration.

He asserted that neither leader had informed the BJP about any such proposal.

"If they (Sharad Pawar and Sunetra Pawar) decide to merge (their parties), they will come and tell us, because the merger cannot happen without us. Neither of them has told us anything yet," he said.

The chief minister also said it would be unfair to compare Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar's leadership with that of her late husband Ajit Pawar.

Speculation about a possible reunification intensified last week after several leaders of the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP, including Praful Patel and Parth Pawar, met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar.

𝗗𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀

Speaking about the drought situation in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said the government had already provided advance financial assistance to affected farmers and would announce the final relief package shortly.

"We have already provided advance assistance. We will announce the final assistance for farmers soon," he said.

The state government had announced advance assistance of Rs 5,000 each for eligible farmers in drought-affected areas last month.

Fadnavis said detailed planning had been undertaken to ensure adequate availability of drinking water and fodder, including village-wise mapping of water sources and arrangements for livestock.

He explained that maintaining a large fleet of water tankers throughout the year was not feasible, making it necessary for the government to hire private tankers during periods of acute shortage.

The chief minister said GPS tracking systems had been introduced on water tankers to monitor their movement and prevent irregularities in supply operations.