Mah Assembly adjourned 4 times over withdrawal of question

Nagpur, Nov 28 (UNI) The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was adjourned four times, for 20 minutes each, today amid an uproar over the reported withdrawal of a question by some opposition members and their claim that they had not signed the letter of withdrawal.

The house was thrown into turmoil towards the end of the question hour today, after Minister for Revenue Narayan Rane said that it was improper for a member who had put a question and to remain absent when it was listed for discussion.

Mr Rane made the remark as Sanjay Rathod (Shiv Sena), whose question had been called out, was not present in the house. The question could not be taken up, as Mr Rathod's name was the only name to be listed.

Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, pointing out a question listed for the question hour yesterday that had been withdrawn said the printed booklet had the remarks 'Question has been withdrawn' hand written across the question. The Speaker must clarify why the question was withdrawn and who had asked it to be done.

Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar said his office had received a letter signed by the four members - Gajanan Kirtikar, Eknath Shinde, Dagdu Sapkal and Sharad Dhamale (all Shiv Sena) - stating that the issue raised in the question has been resolved.

Mr Kirtikar was not present in the house, but Mr Shinde, Mr Sapkal and Mr Dhamale said that they had not signed the letter, triggering the uproar.

Members from the treasury and opposition benches also trooped into the well of the house, demanding a CID enquiry into the affair.

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