Wakf controversy forces three adjournments in Assembly
Mumbai, July 17 (UNI) Controversy surrounding the sale of Wakf board land rocked the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today which witnessed three adjournments as the Treasury and Opposition benches traded charges against each other.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, whose brother Dilip Deshmukh is also an alleged beneficiary in the sale of the land, was present in the House and defended himself and the government. The Chief Minister accused the Opposition of targeting him and maligning the image of his government.
''Those who brought down the Babri Mosque are now demanding that justice be done in the Wakf land deals. If the Opposition initiates discussion on the issue keeping aside their political motives, we are ready for the same,'' Mr Deshmukh added.
The issue was raised through an adjournment notice by Leader of the Opposition Ramdas Kadam. He demanded suspension of the day's business and taking up discussion on the Wakf land deals, growing spate of robberies in the state, and the non-payment of financial package released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the kin of farmers who committed suicide in Vidarbha.
Mr Kadam ridiculed the Chief Minister's comments that the Opposition wanted to malign him and the government. ''It is not the Opposition, but a member of your own Cabinet who is levelling allegations against you and other members of the Cabinet,'' Mr Kadam said.
Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar rejected the adjournment notice. He also removed all allegations and counter allegations made by both sides from the proceedings.
CPM member Narasaya Adam described the controversy as a ''serious matter'' as it involved 80,000 acres of Wakf land.
Even as the Opposition and ruling benches traded charges against each other, Revenue Minister Narayan Rane pitched in to counter the Opposition attack. Opposition members also displayed banners criticising the government for its alleged involvement in the land deals.
The House was adjourned thrice after which it was decided that the Wakf issue would be discussed under Rule 101 tomorrow.
UNI