It was a chaotic Day 2 of the three-day special session in state assembly after Shiv Sena MLAs created ruckus and delayed proceedings.
What did Sena want?
Having kept mum on the Vidarbha issue on Day 1, Sena members, who took on the role of opposition on Tuesday, demanded that any member hailing Vidarbha in assembly should be suspended. They also asked for extension of the deadline for filing nominations for the speaker's post.
How did it go about its demands?
Sena MLAs objected to the 12pm deadline for filing nomination for the speaker's post as the party had decided to file nomination of Vijay Avti. Sena members rushed to the well and asked that the timing be extended until all members take oath. They refused to go back to their seats till the demand was met.
What did BJP say?
The strain in the relationship between the former allies was there for all to see when Fadnavis stood up to oppose Sena's stand."There is no precedence of disrupting the oath-taking ceremony of state assembly. But if Sena wants to start a new trend, it can do so. However, I am of the opinion that the ceremony should be continued." Senior members from other parties seconded that but to no avail.
What was Sena's reply?
Leader of the party in the House Eknath Shinde said, "As per rules 6(1) and (2) of the Vidhan Sabha, until all members of the House have taken oath, forms for the speaker's post cannot be taken."
So, was the demand met?
Pro tem speaker Jeeva Pandu Gavit extended the deadline to file nomination to 3pm.
What more did the party want?
Sena MLAs also demanded suspension of those who say "Jai Vidarbha" in the House. On Monday, several BJP MLAs from Vidarbha had hailed their region while taking oath.
Referring to party chief Uddhav Thackeray's letter, which he received on Tuesday, Gavit said, "Some members chanted 'Jai Vidarbha' while taking oath yesterday, which was inappropriate and must not be repeated. If any member mentions the word Vidarbha, s/he will be excluded from the proceedings of the House."
Who defied it?
BJP legislator Ashish Deshmukh said 'Jai Vidarbha' while taking oath, angering Sena members. Gavit then ruled that if any member uses the word henceforth, s/he would be suspended for the rest of the special session, which was welcomed by the Sena, but opposed by the BJP.
Later, Gavit revoked his statement of suspension. Many members then raised the slogan of "Akhanda Maharashtra".
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}