The proceedings in the Legislative Council were disrupted on Wednesday over the alleged irrigation scam. NCP members objected to leader of Opposition Vinod Tawde (BJP) reading out the Bombay high court’s interim order on the irrigation scam in the state during a debate.
The NCP members argued that since the HC order mentions suggestions to the governor, it couldn’t be discussed in the Legislature. Finally, the debate did not take place and the chairman of the House said that he would give his ruling on the matter on Thursday.
Opposition BJP, Shiv Sena and Peasants and Workers Party had proposed the debate on the irrigation scam, which was allowed by the chairman. However, the NCP members first opposed it saying that the matter was sub-judice. They said that certain PILs filed in connection with the allegations of corruption in irrigation projects are pending in the Bombay high court and therefore, the debate over it should not take place in the Council.
Deputy chairman Vasant Davkhare, who was presiding the House when the debate began, rejected the NCP’s contention. However, Mr Davkhare also told Mr Tawde to stick to the points given in the written proposal for the debate.
When Mr Tawde read out the high court’s interim order while opening his speech, NCP MLCs Hemant Takle and Kiran Pawaskar argued that the HC interim order was addressed to the governor and since the governor was not answerable to the Legislature, the high court’s suggestions to the governor could not be even mentioned in the House.
The proceedings were adjourned thrice before because of the pandemonium over the issue.
“The NCP is trying to stall the discussion on corruption,” Mr Tawde said outside later.