Jankar controversy disrupts Maharashtra Assembly

The Maharashtra Assembly today witnessed frequent disruptions before being adjourned for the day after the Opposition demanded resignation of Dairy Development Minister Mahadeo Jankar in the wake of poll related offences filed against him.
The Lower House was adjourned twice, Opposition staged a walkout and later stormed the well of the House shouting slogans as Panel Speaker Yogesh Sagar rushed through the business and adjourned the House for the day.
As soon as the House assembled after a three-day break today Opposition demanded that Question Hour be suspended and House take up the issue of Jankar at the outset.
Vijay Wadettiwar (Congress) and others were on their feet demanding how can a Minister who is facing an offence on direction from the State Election Commission be allowed to continue as Minister.

Wadettiwar said Jankar was caught on the wrong foot directing the poll authorities to treat candidature of Congress man Jasomal Motwani as an independent candidate in Wadsa Desaiganj Municipal Council Election in Gachiroli District recently.
On learning about the incident, the State Election Commission directed registration of offences against Jankar, the House was informed.

Jayant Patil (NCP) and others took the state government to task and the entire question hour was disrupted. Speaker Haribhau Bagde however, refused their contention and went ahead with the mandatory Question Hour. Irked by the refusal by the Chair, Opposition staged a walkout.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who was present in the House, defended Jankar saying a non-cognizable offences have been registered against Jankar and he has replied to a notice from the State Election Commission.

But this could not satisfy Opposition benches even as Panel Speaker Sagar took up House business and finished some of the scheduled items, Opposition continued slogan shouting and throwing shredded papers in the House. Finally Sagar adjourned the House for the day.