Maha Council disrupted over LoP issue; CM says Government won't interfere

Mumbai, Dec 17: The Maharashtra Legislative Council on Wednesday once again witnessed pandemonium on the issue of absence of a Leader of Opposition in the House even as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made it clear that the government will not get involved in the matter.

After the Question Hour, the Nationalist Congress Party State President Sunil Tatkare raised the issue and said the House should function according to the rules.

"The session is underway and there is no LoP. Chief Minister should take a note of it and the announcement of LoP should take place today," he demanded. To which, the CM said that the matter is under the jurisdiction of the Chairperson.

"I have no authority in this regard. The government won't interfere on this issue. The Chairperson should decide on this," he said.

Earlier, Manikrao Thakre of Congress too pointed out that the CM should summon a meeting of leaders of both the Houses on the issue and the matter should be immediately resolved. NCP members took objection to this procedure and said that both Houses are separate.

Amid din, Chairperson Shivajirao Deshmukh assured that he will look into the issue and will try to announce the name of LoP at the earliest. Not satisfied, NCP members began shouting slogans and entered the Well of the House resulting in a bedlam.

"Give Justice, Give Justice, Chairperson Give Justice", they shouted.

As the members remained firm on their demand, Deshmukh adjourned the House for 15 minutes. NCP and Congress have already submitted their claims for naming Dhananjay Munde and Manikrao Thakre as the LoP.

PTI