Opposition stalls Mah Council demanding presence of CM

Nagpur, Nov 27 (UNI) The prolonged discussion on farmers' suicides in Maharashtra Legislative Council remained inconclusive today as opposition members stalled the proceedings demanding the presence of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to give the reply.

The House had to be adjourned twice amid an opposition uproar over the absence of Mr Deshmukh. Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, who was present, said that he would give the reply on behalf of the Government as the Chief Minister was not in Nagpur.

This, however, did not placate the opposition members. Leader of the Opposition Pandurang Phundkar (BJP), Madhukar Sarpotdar, Diwakar Raote and Dr Neelam Gorhe (all Shiv Sena) maintained that the Chief Minister himself should give the reply. They rushed into the well of the House raising slogans, forcing Deputy Chairman Vasant Davkhare, who was in the chair at the time, to adjourn the House twice.

UNI