DF is confident, but Oppn is not

MUMBAI: The monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature concluded on a bitter note on Friday, drawing battlelines between the rival alliances of Congress-NCP and BJP-Shiv Sena. Deputy speaker Pramod Shende did not admit a no-faith motion moved by the Shiv Sena-BJP opposition against the Democratic Front government.

Mr Shende also did not take any decision on another no-faith motion moved by the opposition against him, thus putting the ball in the court of Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar for the next session.

The DF government, however, moved a confidence motion apparently to hit back at the opposition. With an enraged opposition walking out protesting the partisan conduct by the deputy speaker, the government-sponsored motion won 153 to 0.

Later, senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde and leader of the opposition Ramdas Kadam told the media that both the motions would be moved in the winter session of the legislature beginning on December 4 in Nagpur.

“The deputy speaker has applied double-standards. The deputy speaker did not take a decision on our no-faith motion. But he not only admitted the government’s motion, but also ordered a voice poll. The government and the deputy speaker have shown utter disregard for democracy and legislative norms,” Mr Munde said.

Mr Kadam said the government’s strategy to use the deputy speaker against the opposition was “shameful”. The opposition also criticised Mr Shende for making political comments from the chair.

“The presiding officer is supposed to be in a non-political position. But Mr Shende made casual and political comments about two Shiv Sena legislators joining the Congress. This is a gross insult to the office of the presiding officer,” Mr Munde said.

Mr Munde lambasted home minister RR Patil for shooting his mouth off yet again. “When the police have merely arrested three suspects in the blasts case, Mr Patil went on record about Pakistan’s involvement. How could he be so cocksure when the probe is still on,” Mr Munde said.

Mr Munde, a former home minister, said it was not proper on Mr Patil’s part to go public with information which was yet to be established. “Such statements could help the suspects,” Mr Munde said. He also castigated the home minister for “getting a congratulatory motion passed in the assembly for the three arrests.

“The central intelligence agencies have tipped off the state about more possible terrorist attacks in Mumbai. We are not yet out of the woods. Yet, Mr Patil is in a celebratory mood,” Mr Munde said.

The opposition made it clear that it won’t take things lying down. Mr Munde declared that the BJP and the Sena would soon hit the streets with a state-wide campaign against the DF rule on a range of issues including its failure to protect people from terrorist attacks and put an end to farmers’ plight.