Govt suspended opp MLAs to ensure passage of Budget: Chavan

Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan today alleged that the 19 opposition legislators were suspended by the state government fearing that the budget may not be passed.
Talking to reporters, Chavan asked if BJP could promise loan waiver to farmers in Uttar Pradesh, how could the same demand be "wrong" in Maharashtra?
Nineteen MLAs of the opposition Congress and the NCP were today suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly for nine months for creating ruckus during the Budget presentation in the House last week.
"The opposition legislators were demanding relief to farmers by way of waiving their loans during the budget presentation. Looks like they were suspended due to fear that the budget may not passed," said Chavan.

He said the party unit has written to the state election commission that the upcoming elections for Latur, Chandrapur and Parbhani municipal corporations be held through ballot box and not EVMs.
Replying to questions over the doctors' strike in the state, Chavan, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, said need of the hour was to ensure security of doctors.

Meanwhile, the Opposition leaders are scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss their strategy for the rest of the session against the backdrop of the suspension of 19 MLAs.
Chavan will also attend the meeting.
The Opposition had announced earlier in the day that it would boycott the session till the suspension was revoked.