Stand-off between Dy speaker, Oppn rocks Assembly

MUMBAI: Maharashtra legislative assembly was adjourned four times on Wednesday following a stand-off between deputy speaker Pramod Shende and opposition Shiv Sena-BJP legislators over BJP leader Eknath Khadse not being allowed to speak on a calling-attention notice.

Amid vociferous protests from the Opposition, Sena MLA Arjun Khotkar was suspended for a day for showing disrespect to the deputy speaker. His suspension was, however, later revoked after he apologised for his conduct. The trouble stated when Mr Shende did not allow Mr Khadse to speak on a calling-attention notice on the gas pipeline being built by Gail for Dabhol power project. Instead, Mr Shende allowed another opposition member, who hails from the area where the Dabhol project is located, to speak. This irked Mr Khadse, who sat down. Leader of opposition Ramdas Kadam criticised the chair for not allowing Mr Khadse to speak. Later, the Opposition staged a walkout, protesting Mr against Mr Shende’s decision.

When opposition members returned to the House, they squatted in the well and raised slogans. Mr Shende adjourned the house for five minutes. When the proceedings resumed, Girish Bapat (BJP) accused Mr Shende of not allowing Opposition members to speak. Mr Shende then asked “Should I go”, to which Sena MLA Khotkar replied “go, go”. “Khotkar has not insulted me, but the chair,” Mr Shende said. Treasury benches sought action against Mr Khotkar. Parliamentary affairs minister Harshwardhan Patil then moved a motion seeking Mr Khotkar’s suspension for a day which was carried by a voice vote.

This enraged opposition members, who gathered in the well and shouted slogans against Mr Patil and Mr Shende. Mr Khotkar, however, remained in the House with other opposition members. Amid the noisy scenes, the House was adjourned three times, twice for 30 minutes and later for 15 minutes as senior leaders from opposition benches tried to end the impasse. The suspension of the Sena MLA was revoked after the House proceedings began after the fourth adjournment.