NEWSLINKS US EDITION COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
A fresh round of slogan shouting between the ruling Democratic Front and the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party opposition in both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature on Friday led to both being adjourned for the day.
The legislative Assembly which assembled at 11 am and the legislative council which assembled at 12 noon were adjourned minutes after the sittings began by Speaker Arun Gujarathi and council Chairman Prof N S Pharande respectively.
Even before the Houses assembled for the day, tempers were running high. BJP member Raj Purohit and Minister of State for Home (Urban) Kripashankar Singh were locked in a heated exchange of words. While Purohit shouted, " Dub Maro, Dub Maro, Congresswalon Dub Maro ." Singh countered it by saying " Chulubhar Pani Mein Dub Maro ."
After that a free for all ensued. And as Speaker called out Question Hour the uproar reached its crescendo. The Speaker, then warned members, who had gathered in the well of the House with banners, that he would name them if they dared to climb his podium. The warning worked, but the slogan shouting continued. The Speaker adjourned the house for the day. In the legislative council the scene was no different and chairman, Pharande adjourned the house at 12.02 pm.
Later, speaking to newsmen, leader of opposition, Narayan Rane and BJP leader Gopinath Munde disclosed that they had boycotted the Business Advisory Committee of the assembly, in protest against the ruling DF's attempts to stall the business of the house. Citing a past session where Sena-BJP members were suspended for unruly behaviour, they said that now since the DF members, including the ministers themselves, were creating an uproar they should also face similar punishment.
Munde said that if the Speaker failed to punish unruly DF members by March 19, then they would be forced to move a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. He said that it was wrong for the ruling DF to turn the legislature into a political arena. If they want to agitate on the issue concerning the central government they could do so on the streets. He added that the opposition was keen on raising debates on the prevailing drought condition, load shedding and the law and order situation.
Rane said that when they called on Governor Dr P C Alexander on Thursday evening, the Governor had informed them that Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had assured him that they would ensure smooth functioning of the legislature. Despite this the DF managed to stall business of the House for the third day. He charged the Speaker of being dictated to by Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal.
Later, speaking to newsmen, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Rohidas Patil rejected the opposition demand for suspension of DF members. "Why should there be any action? What damage have they done to the property of the House? Well everybody rushes into the well of the House these days. We made efforts to ensure smooth transaction of the House. In Delhi, two senior ministers were forced to resign and a probe was ordered. We could not control the feelings of our MLAs".
Asked whether the session would be extended, Patil said that if there is any pending business before the legislature, then the session could be extended by another week.
The Complete Coverage | Defence sites
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
