The Maharashtra government has agreed to hold discussions on the multi-thousand crore irrigation scam in the Legislative Council. The Opposition parties had been aggressively demanding a discussion on the scam in the monsoon session. The Congress-Nationalist Congress Party government was reluctant to have a discussion, claiming the matter is under investigation.
On Monday, the Opposition stalled the proceedings in the Upper House, demanding a discussion and the House was adjourned for four times. It was only after Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar came out with a promise, the Opposition allowed the proceedings to continue, which was subsequently adjourned for a day.
A special investigation team headed by water expert Madhav Chitale has been formed to probe the scam and has been given an extension till December 31.
In the Lower House, the Opposition demanded the suspension of Pravin Darekar, a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MLA, be revoked. He was suspended on Friday for allegedly abusing Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.
Opposition leader Eknath Khadse claimed that the MLA never used abusive words inside the Assembly and the government was trying to silence the opposition.