Shiv Sena criticises Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan in 'Saamna' editorial, says his condition is like ICU patient

With the Election Commission of India announcing the dates for the Maharashtra and Haryana state Assembly elections, opposition party Shiv Sena has begun taking digs at the ruling Congress-NCP alliance and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

Stating that everyone should understand the emotional condition of Chavan, the editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana on Monday says, "Chavan's situation has become like that of a patient in ICU, who speaks unconsciously while half asleep."

Hitting out at Chavan for his statement that Uddhav Thackaray has no experience to run a government, the editorial says, “With such statements, Chavan is preaching to others, but he himself is searching for an extra safe and secure constituency in Satara-Karad to fight the Assembly elections." 

Questioning Chavan's experience in becoming the Maharashtra chief minister, the editorial claims, “Chavan was not only unaware of all the towns of the state, but he did not even know his own party MLAs from Western Maharashtra. If the clerical work done at the state ministry level due to Sonia's grace is his experience, then a 'desk officer's experience at Mantralaya is more than his."

The Saamna editorial also questions Rajiv Gandhi's experience in being made prime minister. “After stepping out of the plane's cockpit, when Rajiv Gandhi became prime minister, what certificate of experience did he have?” it asks.

Stating that the Sena was not hungry for the 'chair', ostensibly referring to the chief minister's post, the editorial further says, "It is not our habit to run away from responsibilities. More than who becomes chief minister, the important thing for us is how to oust the Congress." 

The editorial advises Chavan not to make a laughing stock of himself, and adds that without any experience, he has just warmed the chief minister's seat.