BJP legislators from Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and Maharashtra Legislative Council on Tuesday boycotted the proceedings of both the houses to protest against the suspension of 12 BJP legislators and the Maha Vikas Aghadi government’s alleged move to suppress the views of the opposition.
They convened a parallel legislature and started proceedings on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan. The legislators elected senior BJP legislator Kalidas Kolamkar to chair the proceedings.
BJP legislators shouted slogans against the state government. Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis in his initial remarks said that the parallel legislature has been convened wherein legislators will air their views as the government was not allowing the opposition to speak.
However, Shiv Sena legislator Bhaskar Jadhav and Minority Affair Minister Nawab Malik took strong objection against BJP's move to hold a parallel session on the steps of the legislature. Jadhav in the state assembly said whether such a parallel session can be held in the premises of legislature and he wanted to know whether BJP legislators were given permission to use the mike system during their parallel session. Zirval said the legislature secretariat has not given approval for the mike system.
Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Prabhu demanded that the mike system should be seized and the action should be taken against those who organized it and those who allowed BJP to operate. The Maha Vikas Aghadi members demanded the action should be taken immediately.
On the other hand, Malik brought to the chair’s notice that Jadhav, who as a presiding officer had conducted the business on Monday and was allegedly manhandled by BJP legislators, has been getting threats. Besides, Jadhav has been targeted on social media especially on Twitter. He demanded that Jadhav should be provided security cover immediately. Prabhu supported Malik’s demand in this regard.
