Maha MLCs demand removal of Tawde as Education Minister

A vociferous Congress and NCP today created uproarious scenes in the Maharashtra Legislative Council today and demanded removal of state Education Minister Vinod Tawde, alleging he was still a honorary director of a company which is a violation of model code of conduct.
The Opposition leaders said the code of conduct and election laws provide that a minister holding a office of profit has to quit the office within two months after being sworn in as a minister.
Raising the issue through a 289 Adjournment Motion, Sharad Ranpise argued the rules apply for both Union and Ministers in state. He demanded the Chief Minister sack such a minister or the minister should tender his resignation owing moral responsibility.

Making an intervention, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Girish Bapat assured the House that the government shall make a statement before the session gets over.
Council Chairman Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar urged the House to give importance to debate on prevailing drought conditions in some parts of the state.
Leader of Opposition, Dhananjay Munde argued that the code of conduct for ministers needs to be taken seriously.

Janardhan Chandurkar (Congress) wanted to know as to why the House was debating the issue without naming the minister.
"I want to know which minister is being talked about. According to newspaper reports, the minister in question is Vinod Tawde. I want to know if this is true. If not, injustice is being done to Tawde. It is thus imperative that we debate on the issue and facts be presented before the House," he said.

Giving his ruling on the proposal, Chairman Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar assured the House that he will, setting aside the rules, allow four Opposition members to raise questions on the government's statement.