Mumbai: The winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature, beginning at Nagpur on December 8, is likely to be dominated by issues like 'leakage' of the Pradhan Committee report on 26/11 terror attacks and farmer suicides, as the Opposition gears up to attack the Congress-NCP Government.
The Opposition parties are not going to miss a single chance to attack the government on leakage of the report and reported allegations by former Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor that four top police officers were guilty of 'dereliction of duty' during the attacks, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Eknath Khadse of the BJP said.
The Opposition leader's post has come to BJP after 15 years in the western state.
BJP is holding a protest march of farmers on the first day of the session and would also demand proper compensation for victims of 'Phyan' cyclone, which hit the coastal areas of the state last month, Khadse said.
Allegations made by slain IPS officer Ashok Kamte's widow, Vinita, against Mumbai Crime Branch chief Rakesh Maria of mishandling the situation on 26/11 would also be raised in the House, he said.
The Government is cautious on security inside the House this time, as the first session of the newly elected Assembly last month witnessed an unprecedented attack on Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi by legislators of the Raj Thackeray-led MNS.
Azmi, a first-time MLA, was beaten up by the MNS legislators for taking oath of office in Hindi, instead of Marathi as demanded by the fledgling party. Four MNS MLAs were suspended from the House for four years over the incident.
"The incident was very unfortunate and we do not expect the same to happen again," Khadse said. Azmi has sought 'Z' security, but the Government has not yet taken a decision.
There are about 15 Bills to be tabled in the House, including punishment for attacking medical staff, prohibiting video piracy and fixing higher educational qualification for
Vice Chancellors of Universities, an official from Law and Judicial Department said.
A bill providing for stringent action against contamination of natural drinking water resources is also likely to be introduced in the session, the official said.
The performance of 149 new MLAs in the 289-member Assembly would be keenly watched, as many of them have strong political background.
Son of Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Amit, daughter of Union Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Praniti, (both from Congress), Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal's son Pankaj (NCP) and daughter of BJP MP Gopinath Munde, Pankaja, are among the new faces.
On December 18, the Council would have elections for nine seats. Former Opposition Leader Ramdas Kadam, who lost the Assembly poll from Konkan region, has been fielded by Shiv Sena.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, December 06, 2009, 12:41