Both Houses adjourn after condolence motion

NAGPUR: Both Houses of the state legislature on Monday paid rich tributes to former governor Mohammad Fazal, former chief minister and senior Congress leader A R Antulay, former union minister Murli Deora and others who passed away recently. After the condolence motion was passed, the upper as well as lower house were adjourned for the day.
In the Assembly, as the proceedings began in the opening session, Speaker Haribhau Bagde announced the names of the deceased leaders as a mark of respect.CM Devendra Fadnavis rose to seek permission for introducing newly inducted ministers to the house and soon after that moved the condolence motion. He also moved the motion in the council.
Prior to that, the council was adjourned for 30 minutes after MPCC president Manikrao Thakre demanded discussion on farmers’ issue before the condolence motion under Rule 289 terming it “serious”. However, the chairman stated it was not mentioned in the daily schedule. When the Congress members insisted, the chairman said they would seek opinion of other members. Senior MLC Jayant Patil opposed the Congress move stating condolence motion was equally important and particularly when it was related to former CM and former union minister. He also warned that allowing Congress demand would set a wrong precedent. He was supported by former minister Sunil Tatkare.
Revenue minister Eknath Khadse then explained the government’s stand in this regard and accused the Congress that it was because of their failure that farmers’ issues had cropped up. On this, the Congress members started raising slogans after which the chairman adjourned the proceedings.
Earlier, while moving the condolence motion in both houses, Fadnavis described Antulay as a visionary and an outstanding administrator. “He had a good image as peoples’ leaders, quick decision maker. During two-year stint of Antulay, several new districts, including the tribal district of Gadchiroli were created for smooth administration,” he pointed out. The CM also lauded the services rendered by the former governor.
Fadnavis also condoled the demise of former ministers and legislators Shankarrao Gedam, Sunderrao Solanke, Sabir Sheikh, Dattaji Khanvilkar, Udaysingh Gaikwad, Vijaysingh Prabhugaonkar, Mohan Patil, former deputy speaker Suryakant Dongre, Purushottam Kalu, P K Anna Patil, Malojirao Mogal, Kisanrao Bankhele, Umar Aziz Kazi, Bhujangrao Bagde, Netaji Rajgadkar, Praduma Mehta, Jagarao Chavan, Uttamrao Gawli-Vitekar and Govindrao Rathod.
Congress group leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Prithviraj Chavan, Thakre, Patangrao Kadam (all Congress), Ajit Pawar, Dilip Walse Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal (all NCP), Subhash Desai (Sena), Jayant Patil, Kapil Patil and others also spoke on the condolence motion and paid tributes to former colleagues.
Presiding officers’ panel announced
The Speaker on Monday also announced a five-member panel of presiding officers for smooth conduct of the house. The panel included: Varsha Gaikwad, Shivaji Naik (both Congress), Yogesh Sagar (BJP) and Dilip Sopal of NCP and Vijay Awate (Shiv Sena).