Mumbai: 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 states to work towards its implementation.
Hitting back at AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Fadnavis said that the UCC is rooted in the Directive Principles of State Policy of the Constitution.
The BJP leader alleged that the Opposition was trying to orchestrate street protests similar to those seen in neighbouring countries.
"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 CM was speaking to reporters at a Diwali gathering hosted by him at his official residence, Varsha, in south Mumbai. He answered queries on a range of issues, from the Gokul Dairy row to the NCP merger.
The chief minister said that Directive Principles were not enforceable by the courts like fundamental rights, as their implementation required time and consensus among people.
"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.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday, AIMIM president Owaisi opposed the proposed UCC in Maharashtra, contending it was an attempt to impose 'Hindu Civil Code' on non-Hindus.
Fadnavis dismissed Rahul Gandhi's allegations that the BJP was undermining democratic institutions and was afraid of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing the Opposition of deliberately creating distrust in constitutional bodies.
Fadnavis claimed the Opposition was following a strategy of questioning and demonising every institution, including the Supreme Court, Election Commission, Parliament, CAG and RBI, to create a conspiracy narrative and undermine people's faith in them.
"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 BJP leader alleged that the Opposition wanted to bring about a political system similar to those in 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 it had been enacted only recently, and its implementation was still in the early stages.
Fadnavis said he stood by the Kolhapur-based Gokul milk cooperative and not any individual, asserting that the controversy over appointment of directors and the election of its chairman had taken a political turn despite the body having only 5,000 voters.
In the 25-member newly-elected board of the Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd (Gokul Dairy), the panel led by Congress MLC Satej Patil last month secured a narrow majority by winning 13 seats, pushing the Mahayuti-backed panel into the minority with 12 seats.
However, the BJP-led Mahayuti government last week passed an ordinance and nominated four additional directors with voting rights, a move that raised eyebrows among the Opposition parties.
"I am supporting the institution (Gokul Dairy), not any individual. I am not behind any particular person," Fadnavis said to a question.
The CM defended the four appointed members on the Gokul Dairy board, saying all had experience in the cooperative sector and their credentials were certified by the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
Gokul Dairy's annual turnover is more than Rs 4,000 crore.
On Tuesday evening, NCP leader and former MLA Rajesh Patil, a candidate of the ruling Mahayuti, was elected chairman of Gokul Dairy in a keenly contested election.
Patil secured 16 votes, said BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik.
Speaking on the NCP merger issue, Fadnavis said only Sharad Pawar and Sunetra Pawar, who head the rival factions, could clarify whether their parties would reunite, asserting that neither had informed the BJP about any such move.
He said it would be unfair to compare Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar's leadership with that of her late husband Ajit Pawar.
"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 merger buzz gained strength last week after several leaders of the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP, including Praful Patel and Parth Pawar, met NCP (SP) head Sharad Pawar.
On the drought situation in Maharashtra, the chief minister said, "We have already provided advance assistance. We will announce the final assistance for farmers soon."
The state government last month announced an advance assistance of Rs 5,000 each for eligible farmers in drought-affected areas.
Fadnavis said the government had undertaken detailed planning to ensure water and fodder availability in drought-hit areas, including mapping water sources village-wise and arranging supplies for livestock.
About water supply amid drought, Fadnavis said the government could not maintain a large fleet of tankers throughout the year and had to hire private ones when required.
The CM said GPS tracking had been introduced on tankers to monitor their movement and prevent irregularities.
