Maha session begins; Sena says no talks on with BJP

Published on:

10 Nov 2014, 12:00 am

Shiv Sena legislators today occupied Opposition benches as the special three-day session of Maharashtra Assembly began here during which Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will seek a trust vote as mandated by the Governor when he stakes claim to form the government.

Sena members, wearing saffron pheta (headgear) came to legislative Assembly in a group and occupied the benches meant for Opposition, where their seating arrangement was made, in keeping with the norms for the second largest party in the 288-member House.

Earlier today, before the House proceedings began at 11 AM, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao administered the oath as Protem Speaker to senior legislator Jeeva Pandu Gavit, at Raj Bhavan.

Gavit then administered the oath to newly elected members of the House. The process will continue tomorrow. On November 12, the last day of the session, election for the Speaker will be held.

Shiv Sena sources said that the party was likely to field its nominee for the post.

While senior Sena leader Neelam Gorhe told reporters at legislative Assembly today that her party was at present not involved in any talks with BJP.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had yesterday announced that the party will sit in Opposition if BJP accepted NCP's support to win the trust vote.

Uddhav has given BJP two days to respond, before taking a final decision.

Senior Sena leader Diwakar Raote today said Sena MlAs will present a green skull cap to Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse for "espousing" the cause of Urdu language in Marathi medium schools.

Today was the first day as MlA for former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and education minister Vinod Tawde, who were earlier members of the legislative Council.

While some members invoked God before taking oath, there was a member who said "Jai Vidarbha" while there was another who said "Namo" while taking oath.

The election for the state Assembly Speaker would take place on November 12. The voting would take place between noon and 3 PM, protem Speaker Jiva Pandu Gavit announced in the lower House.

The time for withdrawal of nomination is till 10 AM the same day, he said.

The protem Speaker also announced the panel of presiding members, which includes senior Congress leaders Surupsing Naik and Balasaheb Thorat and NCP leader Dilip Sopal.

BJP is likely to nominate Haribhau Bagde, MlA from Aurangabad, for the Speaker's post, senior party leaders said.

The process of filing nomination for the Speaker's election will begin tomorrow.

Congress and Shiv Sena are still unclear on their stand regarding the Speaker's election.

CEO row: Consult us before any decision on Mumbai, warns Sena

Amid continuing stand-off with the BJP over the proposal to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Mumbai, the Shiv Sena today warned its former ally to consult it before taking any such decision for the megapolis.

"The current CM has big plans for the state. He wants to do good work for Maharashtra. But it will be better for them (the BJP) if they consult the Shiv Sena and know its stand before taking any decision on the capital of Maharashtra," the Sena said in an edit mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

"What will you achieve by appointing a CEO IJ We request you to not invite the wrath or curse of Mumbaikars," it said.

Fadnavis’ idea to have a CEO is for administrative convenience, as several ongoing projects, according to him in Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region are delayed due to lack of coordination and jurisdictional issues.

As per the proposal, the CEO would be an officer of the rank of Additional Chief Secretary.

The Sena said it would be wise for the CM to ponder over the work done by agencies like Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) that were formed for the development of Mumbai before taking a decision on the CEO.

"The previous state government in the name of development of the city had created agencies like the MMRDA. What success did it have in addressing the problems of Mumbai and developing the city IJ It will be good for the CM to study all these facts before he arrives on a decision," the Sena said.

"The CM will be increasing the problems of the city rather than decreasing them if he takes such decisions. If he is truly working for the city’s benefit, he should give more power to BMC officials and help them work for Mumbai," it added.

Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale had earlier alleged that the CEO post is being created to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra.

"When he (Fadnavis) talks about creating a CEO's post for Mumbai, it seems that they (BJP) want to separate Mumbai from the rest of the state. They have similar view on Vidarbha. We will oppose this," Shewale had told PTI.