Not improper to introduce Ajit Pawar as DyCM: Speaker

NAGPUR:He rejected the Opposition's contention which prompted them to enter the well of the House following which it was adjourned for 30 minutes. Speaker Dilip Walse Patil today ruled that there was no statutory or constitutional obstacle in introducing Ajit Pawar as the Deputy Chief Minister in the Lower House.

He rejected the Opposition's contention which prompted them to enter the well of the House following which it was adjourned for 30 minutes.

Leader of Opposition in the Lower House, Eknath Khadse (BJP), and others during a Point of Procedure had yesterday contended that there was no post of Deputy Chief Minister as such in the Constitution and hence the Chief Minister cannot introduce Pawar as DyCM before the House.

The Speaker, who withheld his decision on the Point of Procedure yesterday at the end of debates, today announced his decision, thereby outrightly rejecting the Opposition's objection.

Patil ruled that the post of Deputy Chief Minister was descriptive and there was nothing improper in administering oath to a Minister as per the laid down provisions of the Constitution, and as Deputy Chief Minister and for all practical purposes he is deemed to be a Minister.

Following his ruling, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan stood up and introduced Pawar as the Deputy Chief Minister amidst thumping of desks by treasury benches as Opposition looked embarrassed.