Congress boycotts assembly proceedings over Parbhani violence, sarpanch murder
Nagpur (PTI): Congress members boycotted the Maharashtra assembly proceedings on Tuesday to protest the government's handling of the recent Parbhani violence and murder of a sarpanch in Beed district.
Members of the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) staged a walkout along with the Congress MLAs. But legislators of the Shiv Sena (UBT) later returned to House. Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi did not walk out with the other opposition members and remained present in the House.
Violence erupted in central Maharashtra's Parbhani city after a glass-enclosed replica of the Constitution near Dr B R Ambedkar's statue outside the Parbhani railway station was vandalised on the evening of December 10. More than 50 persons have been arrested and multiple cases registered in connection with the violence.
In Beed, the sarpanch of Massajog village, Santosh Deshmukh, was abducted and murdered on December 9. After the House assembled on the second day of the winter session of the state legislature here on Tuesday, Speaker Rahul Narwekar rejected an adjournment notice by Congress member Nitin Raut, saying the issue has been listed for a discussion on Wednesday. However, Raut and his party colleague Nana Patole demanded the issue be taken up for a debate immediately since the incidents are recent and threaten to disturb the social fabric of the state.
NCP (SP) member Sandeep Kshirsagar said Valmik Karad was the main accused in the murder of the sarpanch of a village in Kaij tehsil of Beed district and was still absconding. An extortion case has been filed against him but not of murder, he said.
BJP MLA from Kaij, Namita Mundada, said Santosh Deshmukh was a good man. Despite being an elected representative, he was killed on the highway after being tortured. The murder took place on December 9 and the main accused has still not been nabbed, she said.
Patole claimed that Ambedkarites were enraged over the death of Somnath Suryawanshi, following his arrest after protest against the desecration of the Constitution's replica in Parbhani on December 10. He claimed the government had not handled the situation effectively, resulting in the "unrest". However, Speaker Narwekar was firm that the discussion will take place on Wednesday.
Patole said, "We are boycotting the day's proceedings since the government is not serious about the law and order situation."
All opposition members, except those of the Samajwadi Party, walked out of the House. After sometime, members of the Shiv Sena (UBT) returned to the House, while the Congress legislators stayed away.
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Vijay secures majority support, set to stake claim to form Tamil Nadu govt
Chennai: After four days of political uncertainty and intense negotiations in Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay is learnt to have secured the numbers required to form the government, sources said.
Supporters gathered outside Vijay’s residence in Chennai on Friday evening, raising slogans in support of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam soon after reports emerged that the party had managed to secure majority support.
Sources said Vijay is expected to meet Tamil Nadu Governor R. V. Arlekar on Friday evening to stake claim to form the government. The meeting is likely to take place around 6 pm.
In its electoral debut in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, TVK won 108 out of the 234 seats, dealing a major blow to the 62-year political dominance of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
However, Governor Arlekar had reportedly made it clear that the party would not be invited to form the government without proving a clear majority. Even after two rounds of discussions on Wednesday and Thursday, the Governor is learnt to have maintained his stand that letters of support from at least 118 MLAs must be submitted in the 234-member Assembly.
Apart from Vijay, TVK had the backing of 107 MLAs. Vijay had contested from Tiruchy (East) and Perambur constituencies and won both seats, meaning he would have to resign from one seat before taking oath. This increased the need for additional support.
Amid the political developments, five MLAs from the Congress party, which reportedly moved away from the DMK-led alliance, extended support to Vijay. Vijay also held discussions with leaders of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India.
The VCK, CPI(M) and CPI had so far been allies of the DMK. At the same time, political discussions intensified in the state over speculation that the DMK could even explore a post-poll understanding with its long-time rival AIADMK to prevent an alternative government from taking shape.
Reports had been circulating since Friday afternoon that the VCK and Left parties were likely to support Vijay. Sources later said that the VCK, CPI(M) and CPI agreed to extend the support of two MLAs each, helping TVK cross the required majority mark.
All eyes are now on the Governor’s next move and the official announcement regarding the formation of the new government in Tamil Nadu.
