Farmers' suicide likely to dominate Mah's monsoon session

Mumbai, July 1 (UNI) The issue of suicides by debt-ridden farmers in Vidarbha is likely to dominate the three-week long monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly beginning from July 3, in the backdrop of the strain between the ruling Congress and NCP over the election of industrialist Rahul Bajaj to the Rajya Sabha.

The biennial Legislative Council and the Rajya Sabha elections created tension between the two parties as the Congress did not accept NCP's demand of conceding one seat to PWP or NCP, in lieu of Rajya Sabha seat.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) then apparently settled scores by extending support to Mr Bajaj, an independent candidate, who also had the support of Shiv Sena-BJP combine.

Both, the Congress and NCP, are trying to put a brave front by saying the problem between the two parties over the Rajya Sabha polls will not disturb the coalition government in the state.

On the other side, the case of farmers' suicide in Vidarbha is one of the major issue even as the state government has announced a relief package of Rs 1,075 crore.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today announced a package of Rs 3,750 crore during their tour of Vidarbha, which is being seen as a face-saving relief for the Congress and the NCP.

However, the BJP-Sena alliance has some good news. The BJP succeeded in winning the traditional Konkan graduate's constituency and the Shiv Sena managed to maintain its hold over Mumbai graduate's constituency.

The Sena, which is facing rough weather for the past one year, had to see the defeat of their official candidate in biennial Council elections due to cross-voting by at least 15 Legislators, which indicate the clout that former Sena leader and state Revenue Minister Narayan Rane enjoys among his old party colleagues.

The Cabinet expansion is likely to take place after the monsoon session, as there are at least three vacancies.

The session is also expected to discuss the monsoons and its impact on Mumbai and the government's preparedness in handling any challenging situation.

Besides, issues like power shortage, law and order situation and incidences of terrorist activities in Maharashtra would also come up for discussion.

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