Maharashtra Assembly: Opposition forces adjournments on drought, farmer woes

The House was adjourned twice, once for 10 minutes and the second time till noon

The Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly today protested against the "inept handling" of drought situation in the state and disrupted the proceedings during Question Hour, prompting Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde to adjourn the House twice.

As soon as the House assembled for the day, Leader of Opposition in the Lower House, Radha Krishna Vikhe Patil, raised the issue and urged the Speaker to take up their notice under rule 57 to suspend the Question Hour and take up urgent discussion on two serious issues of drought and farmers' plight in Maharashtra.

When they were allowed to do, the entire Opposition was on its feet, raising slogans and holding placards to protest against the government.

As the Speaker stood firm on his decision, Opposition members stormed into the well of the House forcing him to adjourn the House for 10 minutes in the first place.

When the House re-assembled there was no let up in the demands of the Opposition. Besides Vikhe Patil, Jayant Patil of NCP and others too raised the issue.

From the treasury benches, Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse urged the Speaker to suspend the question hour and take up the issue and expressed their willingness to discuss it threadbare.

Amid commotion, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon.

Earlier before the commencement of the day's proceedings, Congress members holding placards shouted slogans against the government. Former Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan, Vikhe Patil, Vijay Wadettiwar and others led the protests.

They were joined by NCP members led by former Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar and others.