Maharashtra Council adjourned over loan waiver to farmers

Mumbai: Amid din over waiving farmer loans for the third day in a row, the Maharashtra Legislative Council was today adjourned for the day, as an implacable Opposition refused to let the House function until the government agrees to their demands.

The Upper House was adjourned without conducting any business as Opposition members demanded that the Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP clear its stand on the floor of the House on the issue.

"From the last two days, the Opposition has been demanding that the Chief Minister take back his words that farmers' loans will not be waived off and then discuss the issue. In the recent past, the lady farmer whom the CM had met in Yavatmal district and assured of government help committed suicide," NCP leader Sunil Tatkare said.

He said that Devendra Fadnavis might be having personal credibility, but his credibility as a Chief Minister is under attack.

"The Sena today is in power. Thus, before the discussion on farmers' loans starts, their position should be made clear in the House. We demand this because their party President (Uddhav Thackeray) himself demanded waiving farmer loans," Tatkare said.

His comments drew support from other opposition members who started sloganeering against the government and stormed into the Well of the House demanding justice for farmers.

House leader Eknath Khadse then got up amidst the din and sought for protection from Opposition and a chance to speak.

"The Opposition's corruption has got us to this state today. There was widespread corruption in corporations in their tenure and today they are asking for loans to be waived off," Khadse said.

His comments drew more criticism from the Opposition and the Chairman adjourned the House for 50 minutes. As soon as the House re-assembled, Opposition members once again stormed into the Well of the House raising anti-government banners. Panel Chairman Janardan Chandurkar had to then adjourn the House for another 15 minutes.

Immediately after re-assembling, the ruckus continued that led to Chandurkar adjourning the House for over another 10 minutes. Subsequently, an unrelenting opposition forced Deputy Chairman Vasant Davkhare to adjourn the House for the day.