The leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Vinod Tawde, on Monday, stated that the government has agreed to revoke the suspension of Shiv Sena MLC Diwakar Raote, and allow debate on the irrigation scam. Mr Tawde said that Mr Raote had used no unparliamentary language, but had only raised his voice. The Opposition held a sit-in protest in the House, accusing the government of stifling debate on the scam.
“The debate on the issue will be held in the Upper House tomorrow, as per the assurance given by Ajit Paware,” Mr Tawde told reporters here after a meeting, in the Chairman’s chamber, attended by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and his deputy.
He also said that the government also assured that it would revoke the suspension of Mr Raote, who was suspended for the use of “unparliamentary language”.
“Mr Raote did not use any unparliamentary language. Yes, he was a bit too loud in the Chairman’s chamber. He also accepted the Chairman’s decision, and said it was supreme,” Mr Tawde said. Earlier, when proceedings commenced in the house, the Opposition launched a sit-in in the Well of the House for disallowing debate on the irrigation scam, as well as the issue of Mr Raote’s suspension, leading to four adjournments.
On the Bombay high court’s interim order regarding the irrigation scam, Mr Tawde said that the Opposition legislators will not refer to matters that are subjudice, as well as those related to the governor. “We couldn’t see any postitive steps taken by the state, so we decided to stage a sit-in,” he said.