AG meets CM, group leaders in House over his affidavit

Maharashtra Advocate General Darius Khambata today met the Chief Minister and a group of leaders in the Legislative Assembly following controversy over his stand in Bombay High Court over the Governor's directives on equitable allocation of funds.
The Attorney General had said in an affidavit submitted in the High Court that the Governor's directives on equitable allocation of funds to all regions, under Article 371(2) of the Constitution, were advisory in nature and not binding on the government.
When the Lower House assembled for the day at 11 AM, Girish Bapat (BJP) requested the chair to postpone the proceedings by an hour since the meeting was taking place to discuss the issue raised in the Assembly yesterday.

"We need to understand the outcome of the meeting. It will end in an hour's time. Opposition is ready to co-operate in the smooth conduct of the proceedings. However, without knowing what transpired in the meeting, the House cannot function," he said.
The Opposition members gathered in the well of the House in support of their demand.
Deputy Speaker Vasant Purke urged the members to allow the Question Hour.

Water resources Minister Sunil Tatkare said Question Hour cannot be postponed and wrong precedents should not be set.
Namdeo Usendi (Cong) also demanded that the members be informed first about the outcome of the meeting.

Sensing the mood of the House, the chair adjourned it for an hour.
Yesterday, the Lower House witnessed uproar over the affidavit submitted by the AG in the High Court, in the case of society for backlog removal and development, Amravati versus the state of Maharashtra, on February 22.
Devendra Phadanvis (BJP) said the affidavit amounted to breach of privilege of the Legislature, which has unanimously entrusted the Governor with responsibility of equitable distribution of funds.
Phadanvis had urged Speaker Dilip Walse Patil to accept his privilege notice suo motu and summon the Advocate General in the House for his explanation.