Rane defends Cong ministers under fire

Mumbai, Mar 16: Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane today (Mar 16, 2006) sprang to the rescue of Congress ministers in the Democratic Front (DF) Government who are "facing charges of underworld nexus" as well as "abuse and assault," when the Opposition demanded their immediate sacking from the Council of Ministers for the second time during the ongoing Budget Session.

As soon as the Legislative Assembly met after a two-day Holi break, Leader of Opposition Ramdas Kadam raised the issue and demanded resignation of Animal Husbandry Minister Anees Ahmed and Minister of State for Home Siddharam Mhetre of the Congress, through an adjournment notice.

He was supported by BJP leader Gopinath Munde and Wamanrao Chatap of the Swatantra Bharat Paksha. They demanded that the Question Hour be set aside and the issue debated as it concerned law and order of the state.

Mr Mhetre is facing charges of a nexus with the underworld after his name allegedly figured in a conversation between gangsters Chhota Rajan and D K Rao which has been taped by the police. Similarly, an FIR has been filed against Mr Ahmed for allegedly assaulting and hurling casteist remarks against the PA of a Congress MLA from Nagpur.

Opposition Shiv Sena-BJP members were on their feet shouting slogans against the ministers and demanded their removal from the government.

Since Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar had already called for the Question Hour, he said the issue had been debated and sought the members co-operation in proceeding with the Question Hour.

Mr Rane, who was the only senior Congress minister present in the Treasury benches apart from Transport Minister Surupsing Naik, cited legislative rules and asserted that an issue which has been discussed on the floor of the House even through an impromptu debate cannot be raised again through an adjournment notice.

He said there was no question of defending anybody and Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has already assured the House that he would conduct a detailed inquiry into the charges ágainst both the ministers and make a statement in the House.

Mr Kupekar said considering the seriousness of the charges against the ministers, he had allowed Opposition members to speak on the issue and the Chief Minister had made a short but clear statement on the Government's stand. ''You raised the issue on the first day and were dissatisfied with the Chief Minister's reply. You even staged a walkout. But, you came back immediately,'' the Speaker said.

In an apparent softening of stand, BJP leader Gopianth Munde said the Opposition would await the Chief Minister's statement. In a lighter vein, he also said that he was pleased to see Mr Rane donning the role of the Chief Minister in defending the ministers belonging to his party. ''Even the Chief Minister did not defend his ministers in this fashion. Best wishes to my friend (Rane),'' he said.

Mr Rane is a former Shiv Sena Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition.

UNI