SS-BJP submits notice of no-confidence against Deputy Speaker,govt

Mumbai, July 20 (UNI) The Shiv Sena-BJP compine today submitted notices of no-confidence against Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Pramod Shende for ''abruptly'' adjourning the house when the opposition sponsored motion was being debated.

The notices were submitted in the office of Legislature Secretary Vilas Patil.

Addressing a press conference, Leader of opposition Ramdas Kadam and BJP leader Gopinath Munde said even though the Monsoon session concludes tommorrow, the government will have to take a decision on the notices and be prepared for a debate.

''Just like all members are expected to adhere to parliamentary norms, Deputy Speaker Pramod Shende is also expected to do the same. He cannot conduct the proceedings in a partial way'', Mr Munde said.

The opposition leaders claimed that decision on the notices will have to be taken in two days and the government cannot postpone it till the next session.

''The government cannot prorogue the House till a decision is made. The debate on the motion last week is our right and the Deputy Speaker had adjourned the House without any reason when Eknath Khadse was speaking'',he said.

To a question on what issues would be covered under the no-confidence against the government, Mr Munde said the opposition would speak on the failure of the government on all fronts in the last two years including the Bhiwandi violence,intelligence failure leading to the bomb blasts as well as inability to nab the culprits.

Mr Munde said Mr Kadam had to go to Bhiwandi as a symbolic struggle against the government for failure to complete the construction of police station there ''He was deliberately arrested and ill-treated to appease the minorities'', Mr Munde added.

To a question on why he chose to go to Bhiwandi at such a sensitive time, Mr Kadam said he had stated in the Legislative Assembly that he would go to the town to construct the police station himself if the government fails to do so.

''Constructing it is the only way to boost the morale of the police force in Bhiwandi so that they can deal with the sensitive situation'', he added.

UNI MR ADG AK RN1914