Finance Minister says LC can be dissolved, CM Fadnavis ‘regrets’ it

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday expressed regret over comments made by finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar that the Legislative Assembly has powers to dissolve the Legislative Council. While the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena have a clear majority in the Legislative Assembly, the NCP and Congress have a majority in the Upper House. Mr Fadnavis said that the government did not intend to dissolve the Council, but that Mr Mungantiwar only quoted a legal provision during a heated exchange with NCP leader Ajit Pawar in the Assembly on Wednesday.

Senior Congress legislator Narayan Rane raised the issue and sought the CM’s reply. “We do not even expect apology from the minister. But we want to make it clear we have been carrying out the business in the Upper House as per the rules. There was no need to disrespect all the members of the Legislative Council by saying that Legislative Assembly can dissolve the Council. As per the Constitution, it is true that the Assembly has such powers, but it is a convention that you don’t say it,” Mr Rane said.

The Congress leader was referring to an incident that took place in the Assembly on Thursday. The Opposition in the Assembly was upset that some of the bills were passed without any discussion in the House during the pandemonium caused by Opposition’s protest. NCP leader Ajit Pawar warned the government that the bills passed in the Assembly without discussions would be rejected in the Council, where the Opposition has majority. Retorting to Mr Pawar’s comments, Mr Mungantiwar said, “Do not forget that the Assembly has powers to dissolve the Council.”

Giving an explanation on the issue, Mr Fadnavis admitted that Mr Mungantiwar’s comments were unnecessary. “The Upper House has its importance. The finance minister also did not intend to disrespect the Upper House, but he made the comments while having an exchange of words with Mr Pawar. I express my regret over it,” the CM said.