Maha Assembly adjourned for the day amid uproar on loan waiver

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today plunged into pandemonium after ruling BJP joined the Shiv Sena and Opposition in their demand of loan waiver to farmers, forcing adjournment of the Lower House for the second day without transacting any business. The House today witnessed three adjournments before being adjourned for the day. Leader of Opposition, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil raised the loan waiver issue soon after the House assembled this morning.

Subsequently, protesting Shiv Sena and BJP legislators trooped into the Well of the House along with Opposition Congress and NCP to press for the loan waiver. Amid uproar, as Speaker Haribhau Bagde called for laying of papers and calling attention notices, Vikhe Patil said it was not right to rush through the day's 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.

While Opposition Congress and NCP continued shouting slogans "Karz mafi zaalich pahije" (farm loan waiver is a must) resulting in three adjournments. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was not present in the Assembly. When the House re-assembled after the third adjournment, Yogesh Sagar (of the BJP) was in the Chair. He urged Congress and BJP members who had climbed the Speaker's podium to go back to their seats.

"The ruling party, Shiv Sena and Opposition legislators are unanimous in their demand for loan waiver. It is up to the group leaders 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. However, when the din refused to die down, the House was finally adjourned for the day.