Oppn disrupts Council over demand for probe in irrigation scam

The Opposition members, led by their leader Vinod Tawde of BJP, trooped into Well of the House and raised slogans in support of their demand.

They continued sloganeering even as Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh rushed through the listed business, mainly tabling of Bills.

As the bedlam continued, Chairman adjourned the House for 10 minutes, just after 2 pm. After the House assembled, Deshmukh tried to list the issues for discussion but Tawde objected to this.

He said an SIT probe was necessary as the people want to know as to where the money, obtained after "looting" the State's resources, was utilised by Irrigation Department.

After giving a patient hearing to Tawde, Deshmukh said he has reserved his ruling on the notices given by the Opposition on the SIT issue.

When Chairman tried to take up listed business, the Opposition members, including Diwakar Raote, Ramdas Kadam, Ranjit Patil, Chandrakant Patil, Neelam Gorhe and Nago Ganar again raised slogans over their demand.

Unable to conduct the business, the Chairman adjourned the House for the day.

The Opposition has alleged that irrigation contracts worth thousands of rupees were awarded in violation of rules between 1999 and 2009 when NCP leader Ajit Pawar was Water Resources Minister.