Standoff ends in Maharashtra Assembly

MUMBAI, MARCH 20. The week-long confrontation of the Opposition Shiv Sena-BJP alliance with the ruling democratic front in the Maharashtra Legislature, over their various demands, ended today with the presiding officers of both the Houses intervening to resolve the deadlock.

The truce was arrived at, at an all-party meeting convened by the Legislative Assembly Speaker, Mr. Arun Gujarathi, in the chamber of the Legislative Council Chairman, Mr. N.S. Pharande.

Ever since the 7-week long budget session began, Opposition has been raising the issues of arrest of Mumbai unit president of the Samajwadi Party, Mr. Abu Asim Azmi, for his alleged anti-national remarks, delay in payment of dues to the cotton and onion growers, pruning of security cover to the Shiv Sena chief, Mr. Bal Thackeray, and roll-back of prices of essential commodities to the 1995 level.

Unprecedented scenes were witnessed in both the Houses, and the stand-off reached a nadir on March 15 when the Members came to blows outside the Vidhan Bhavan.

The Opposition leader expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the meeting and said that from Tuesday the usual business of the House will be held and the State budget is to be presented on March 22.

The Assembly Speaker, Mr. Arun Gujarathi, who addressed a press conference, alongwith Mr. N.S. Pharande, said that the major issues had been resolved amicably.

The State Government had already arranged for the payment to cotton growers while the onion growers would be paid till March 27 at Nashik and for the next two weeks at Pune.

Onion purchase centres would be set up at these places.

He said a case had been registered against Mr. Abu Asim Azmi and new proofs against him would be scrutinised within the next eight days.

The committee for review of security to prominent persons would be told to review the decision regarding pruning of security to Mr. Bal Thackeray and the committee would submit its report within 15 days.

The Chief Minister, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, his deputy, Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Mr. Narayan Rane, and his counterpart in the Council, Mr. Nitin Gadkari were present.

- UNI

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Section  : Regional
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