Both the houses of Maharashtra state legislature witnessed uproarious scenes on Tuesday as the members of Opposition trouped into the well demanding discussion and voting over the drought situation and the spate of farmers' suicides in the state.
The Congress and the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) had given notices for discussion over drought situation on Monday under rule 97 in the lower house and rule 289 in the upper house of the state legislature which entails voting.
The government, however, agreed for discussion under section 260 in the upper house and section 293 in the lower house which does not entail voting.
Infuriated members of Opposition trouped to the well in both the houses shouting slogans against the government accusing it of being "insensitive" to the farmers' issue.
The upper house witnessed seven adjournments within a span of three hours before being adjourned for the day.
In the lower house , the government managed to pass four amendment bills amidst uproar before the house was adjourned for the day when opposition members continued sloganeering against the government.
NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and Ajit Pawar criticised the government for "failing" to provide relief to the farmers.
"The government should have declared a package for the farmers which would have sent a right message and the spate of farmers' suicides could have been curbed. But the BJP and Shiv Sena are not serious over the issue," Ajit Pawar told reporters outside the state legislature building.
No decision over the Leader of Opposition for Assembly
Uncertainty remained over the post of the Leader of Opposition in the lower house of Maharashtra state legislature on Tuesday even as the NCP proposed the name of senior leader and former home minister R.R.Patil's name for the post.
According to NCP sources, Ajit Pawar submitted a letter to Assembly speaker Haribhau Bagde on Tuesday proposing R.R.Patil for the post.
Outside the house, Mr.Pawar , however, refused to come clear on the issue.
"Both parties have staked claim for the post but it’s the Assembly speaker's prerogative to choose the leader. He will do it according to the rules and regulations of the house and we will accept his ruling," said Mr.Pawar.
The Congress and NCP, however, decided to "co-ordinate and work unitedly" for the rest of winter session of the state legislature to "raise people's issues" after a late night meeting between senior leaders of both the parties on Monday.
