The demand for a complete loan waiver for farmers crippled the functioning of the Maharashtra legislature today as the members of the Shiv Sena joined the opposition Congress and NCP on the issue, leading to adjournment of both the Houses for the day amid pandemonium.
In the Assembly, the Sena and BJP legislators joined there counterparts from the Congress and NCP in rushing to the well of the House and raised slogans seeking an immediate decision on the issue.
The Assembly could not transact any business for the second consecutive day as the issue gathered steam.
The leader of the Opposition, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil (Congress), raised the issue soon after the House assembled.
Amid uproar, Speaker Haribhau Bagde asked for laying of papers and took up the calling attention notices.
Vikhe Patil said it was not right to rush through the business when the entire House was firm on the demand for loan waiver.
Shiv Sena members raised slogans like "Shiv Sene cha ishara...Saat baara kora zalach pahije" (land records should be free of debt) while BJP legislators shouted "Jai Bhawani", "Jai Shivaji" and said farmers should be made debt-free.
Congress and NCP MlAs continued to chant the slogan "Karz mafi zaalich pahije" (farm loan waiver is a must).
The din resulted in three adjournments of the House.
When the House re-assembled, Yogesh Sagar (BJP), who was in the Chair, urged Congress and BJP members who had climbed the Speaker's podium to go back to their seats.
"The ruling party and the opposition are unanimous in their demand for loan waiver. It is up to the group leaders (of various parties) to deliberate on how it should be done. loan waiver decision cannot be taken in the House. I appeal to all members to go back to their seats and allow the House to function," he said.
As the uproar continued, the Assembly was adjourned for the day.
In the legislative Council too, the Sena members joined the Congress and the NCP for waiving off the loans of farmers.
After the House assembled in morning, the Opposition MlCs created uproar while refusing to accept State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar's statement that the government was planning long term measures to rid farmers of the debt burden.
The leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde (NCP) claimed over 9,000 farmers have committed suicide in the state in the last two years due to indebtedness, and blamed the government's policy for the acute agrarian crisis.
He disputed the government's claim of procuring 18 lakh tonnes of tur dal, saying its production has tripled this year.
"The Opposition is prepared to allow the proceedings to move forward provided the government announces a complete loan waiver," Munde said.
Taking part in the debate, senior Shiv Sena MlC Neelam Gorhe said the BJP has given an assurance of loan waiver for farmers during the campaign for recently-concluded Assembly elections for Uttar Pradesh.
"What sin had the farmers of Maharashtra have committed to be denied of the reliefIJ...The BJP members too protested over the issue in the legislative Assembly," Gorhe said.
Putting forward the government's stand, Mungantiwar said the issue was a sensitive one and its scope is beyond politics.
"The government has plans to increase the agriculture production by 2022. We want to effect a complete loan waiver in a transparent manner," the minister said.
As Mungantiwar stated the government now had more money for irrigation than what was done in the sector in the last 15 years, Munde raised objection.
As other members joined Munde in creating uproar, the Chair adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes.
However, as the bedlam continued unabated even after the House reassembled, the Chairman adjourned the proceedings for the day.
later, speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar said the Opposition would not allow the proceedings till a decision is taken on the loan waiver.
"The fact is that the BJP-led state government does not want to provide any loan waiver to farmers. They are politicising the issue. We want the government to announce a loan waiver in this Budget itself," the former deputy Chief Minister said.
"If all the parties agree on it, then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should make an announcement. If the Prime Minister can promise a loan waiver in Uttar Pradesh, why can't the same be done in MaharashtraIJ" he asked.