Mumbai: Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was
adjourned for ten minutes on Wednesday in protest against the
rejection of nomination papers of six Marathi candidates for
the mayor elections in Belgaum Municipal Corporation.
PWP member Ganpatrao Deshmukh had moved an adjournment
notice on this issue, which was disallowed by the chair.
But, Deshmukh said the House can at least adjourn for ten
minutes as a mark of protest.
The demand was accepted by Speaker Dilip Walse-Patil.
Deshmukh and other members expressed resentment over the
rejection of nomination papers of Marathi speaking
corporators, which resulted in the installation of non-Marathi
Mayor.
Jeetendra Avhad (NCP), speaking on point of propriety
wanted the House to have a debate on the issue to express
solidarity with the Marathi speaking population of Belgaum.
He described the developments during the mayor elections
in Belgaum as "unfortunate".
Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP) demanded an all party
delegation meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on
this matter.
Intervening, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said there is
no doubt that injustice is meted out to the Marathi speaking
people in Belgaum and other nearby areas.
"I will write to the Karnataka Chief Minister to
register a protest on the issue. All other parties should also
express their protest against the incident with the Karnataka
government," he said referring to the BJP.
PTI
