Censure motion against Andhra CM demanded

Mumbai, Apr 11 (UNI) The reported remarks of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajshekhara Reddy against the state of Maharashtra in connection with the Babhali Barrage project in Nanded district, rocked both houses of the Maharashtra Legislature today with the Opposition demanding a Censure Motion against Mr Reddy.

Industries Minister Ashok Chavan, who hails from Nanded district, where the controversial Babhali Barrage is being constructed, assured the Legislative Council that Mr Reddy's controversial comments against Maharashtra would be verified within two hours and a statement would be made in the House today.

The assurance came after a 15-minute adjournment amidst pandemonious scenes with Opposition members demanding a Censure Motion against Mr Reddy today itself.

Earlier, in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said, ''We cannot base our action on newspaper reports, it has to be based on merit. We will verify the reported comments and if found true, the Government will table the Censure Motion tomorrow.'' Mr Deshmukh's statement comes in the wake of BJP member Sudhir Mungantiwar moving a Censure Motion notice against Mr Reddy.

Leader of the Opposition Ramdas Kadam declared unanimous support by Opposition benches to the Government and was all praise for Mr Deshmukh who had earlier assured that construction of the Barrage would not stop.

Irrigation Minister Ajit Pawar said when the issue comes up in the Supreme Court on April 25, the State Government would hire senior counsels to defend the State's side. He also informed that till date, there was no information from the court to stop construction of the dam and the work continue at Babhali.

Mr Pawar noted that some time back, chief ministers of both the states had met the Union Water Resources Minister and decided that work would not be stopped. He also said the Babhali Barrage project could figure in Mr Deshmukh's meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 18.

Meanwhile, tempers ran high when some Congress-NCP members protested an objectionable gesture by BJP member Raj Purohit.

Bhai Jagtap (Congress) demanded an immediate apology from Mr Purohit.

Deputy Speaker Pramod Shende, who was in the chair, assured records would be checked and neccessary action would be taken.

In the Upper House, Leader of Opposition Pandurang Phundkar said the reported comments of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister was an insult to the State. He that demanded the Censure Motion be tabled in the House and was supported by Nitin Gadkari (BJP), Madhukar Sarpotdar, Diwakar Raote (Shiv Sena) and Jeetendra Avhad (NCP).

Industries Minister Ashok Chavan tried to pacify the members saying that the same issue had figured in the Lower House and the Chief Minister had assured the members he would verify the statements of Mr Reddy, and if there was any substance, a Censure Motion would be taken up tomorrow.

However, this did not satisfy the members who demanded that the Censure Motion be taken up today itself.

Amidst sloganeering and pandemonium, Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

The issue had also figured in the Legislative Council yesterday.

Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said the Maharashtra Government would take up the matter of the Babhali dam in Nanded district with the Prime Minister.

Mr Patil made this statement in the wake of the issue raised by Jeetendra Avhad (NCP) who had referred to former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's reported statement that he would blow up the barrage with a bomb if it is constructed. The barrage is situated on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

UNI