Oppn seeks Tawde's ouster; Assembly adjourned twice

Mumbai, March 10: Maharashtra Assembly was on Thursday, March 10 adjourned twice as a vociferous opposition tried to stall the House proceedings, demanding ouster of Education Minister Vinod Tawde on the multiple DIN issue.

Soon after the day's proceedings began, the opposition members raised slogans seeking Tawde's sacking, alleging that he had three Director Identification Numbers (DIN) when only one is allowed.

"Tawde did not disclose information about his DIN in his election affidavits. Tawde is a director in Shree Multimedia Vision, a for-profit company, which brings out 'Mumbai Tarun Bharat'. This was not disclosed in his election affidavit," they said.

They alleged that since Tawde held a director's post in the private media company, it amounted to conflict of interest which calls for his sacking from the Cabinet. NCP MLA and former minister Jayant Patil sought clarification from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the alleged violation of code of conduct (for ministers) by Tawde.

Fadnavis said, a clarification will be given "at an appropriate time". "The point you raised comes under model code. Some former ministers will also come under purview. Opposition should be ready to face consequences," he said.

Former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said the code of conduct was made by the Central government, and demanded that Fadnavis make the government's stand clear. As the noisy scenes continued, Speaker Haribhau Bagade announced suspension of the House for 10 minutes. It was again adjourned for five minutes as slogan-shouting continued.

PTI