For the second consecutive day, the Assembly witnessed chaos with the opposition Congress-NCP members protesting on issues such as purification of Mahad water pond, Fergusson college controversy and s
For the second consecutive day, the Assembly witnessed chaos with the opposition Congress-NCP members protesting on issues such as purification of Mahad water pond, Fergusson college controversy and suicide of a Nanded farmer in front of Mantralaya.
Congress MLA Aslam Sheikh was even suspended for a day by deputy speaker Yogesh Sagar, who, however, without paying heed to the order remained present for a protest held inside the house. Mr Sheikh had torn papers and thrown the pieces in the house in protest. The opposition members finally sat in the well and did not participate in the proceedings. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis replied on all the three issues but not to the satisfaction of the opposition. Amid the chaos, the government approved supplementary demands of '5,874 crore without discussion.
Opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil raised the issue of purification of Mahad pond by Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogavale. The Sena MLA was alleged to have purified the pond where Dr Ambedkar had held his historic protest against untouchability. He also referred to the suicide of the farmer in front of Mantralaya last Wednesday. The opposition members got into the well and started raising slogans demanding answers from the government.
The CM in his reply said that the deceased farmer Madhav Kadam’s family has been given compensation of '1 lakh and '4,624 given for loss of crops. On the Mahad purification event, the CM said it was done to create awareness and was not a purification ceremony.
“The government had initiated the programme of Jal Jagruti between March 16 to 22. The local MLA and officials of water resources department also conducted a jal puja. The news (about purification of water) was false,” he added.
On the Fergusson college controversy, the CM said that a committee has been appointed, including chairman of the Legislative Council Ramraje Nimbalkar to seek details of the event.
However, the chaos continued and the House was adjourned five times. Shiv Sena MLA Gulabrao Patil said the opposition was diverting attention from real issues such as farmers woes and wasting the time of the House. The ruling party members also started shouting slogans against the opposition.
