Uproar in state assembly

The Maharashtra legislative assembly was adjourned for the day on Monday without transacting any business after a verbal battle, with both the Opposition and treasury benches trying to stall the proceedings on the issue of the attack on Congress leaders Madhukar Pichad and Chhagan Bhujbal.

As soon as the House assembled at 1 pm, the Opposition members arose and demanded a discussion on the attack.

When the discussion began and while Pichad was describing the incident, Dilip Valse Patil of the Congress suddenly arose and said he had information that Bhujbal's home was again attacked on Monday. After hearing this, the Congress-led opposition members and surrounded the speaker, shouting slogans.

Ram Prasad Kadam-Bordikar of the Congress and others lifted the speaker's gavel, which the attendants managed to prise from them and take it away. Speaker Datta Nalavade adjourned the House at 1.05 pm for 30 minutes.

When the House reassembled at 1.35 pm, Chief Minister Manohar Joshi demanded the suspension of Kadam-Bordikar and his colleagues for snatching the speaker's gavel. He also assured the House that no Opposition leader had been attacked.