Adjournments hit Maha legislature as Cong, NCP raise farmers'

Both Houses of Maharashtra Legislature were today adjourned without transacting much business following a ruckus as former allies Congress and NCP raised the issue of farmers' suicides and drought-like situation in the state's Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
Later, leaders of the two parties told reporters that they had simply demanded suspension of the Question Hour so that a discussion could be taken up under Rule 57 on the above issues in the larger interest of farmers.
But the ruling alliance is politicising the whole issue and making unnecessary references by claiming that the previous Congress-led coalition government was responsible for the drought and farmers' suicides, NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal alleged.

They said that the ruling alliance could criticise the Congress-NCP government later, but this was not the time for playing a blame game amidst farmers committing suicide. It was unfair on part of the state government to neglect farmers who are in distress, they added.
Congress's Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil alleged that the government was indulging in politics and was not serious about the drought-like situation.
By May and early June, the situation may go from bad to worse. Therefore, a full package for the affected persons should be announced immediately, he said.
Earlier, as soon as the Assembly session began in the morning, Congress group leader Vikhe Patil demanded suspension of Question Hour. But Speaker Haribhau Bagde rejected the notice (under Rule 57) and went ahead with the session. That irked opposition members who entered the well of the House and started raising anti-government slogans.