Maharashtra legislative council adjourned

Mumbai, July 10 (UNI) Maharashtra legislative council was adjourned for the day today following demand by the Opposition, against the backdrop of desecration of the statue of late Meenatai Thackeray, wife of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray yesterday.

The adjournment motion was read out by Deputy Chairman Vasant Davkhare.

Earlier, State BJP president Nitin Gadkari alleged that there was a 'Pakistani hand' in the desecration of the statue at Shivaji Park. He also alleged that the government was turning a 'blind eye' towards such incidents and cited the example of recent incidents in Bhiwandi as well as seizure of major haul of explosives in Aurangabad.

Demanding that a discussion should be held on this issue which rocked the city and other parts of the state yesterday with violent incidents reporting from several places, Mr Gadkari said the discussion should be held by cancelling the question hour under rule 293.

He was supported by other Sena-BJP legislators, including Leader of the Opposition Pandurang Phundkar, Arvind Sawant and others.

However, Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh did not yield to their demand and adjourned the House for 15 minutes. Later again the House was adjourned for ten minutes.

After the second adjournment, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Patil described yesterday's incident as unfortunate and said the government was committed to book the culprits.

UNI JM ADG MA GC1705