Mumbai, July 27: (pti) The DF government's announcement of invoking POTA against dalit atrocities, cracks in Congress and NCP over a bill and the ruling front, under sharp attack from Shiv Sena-BJP opposition, being forced to put on hold scheme of optical smart card for vehicle registration were the highlights of the just-concluded monsoon session of Maharashtra legislature. The DF government, which was at the receiving end for `favouring' ruling front legislators in disbursal of development fund, was also made to announce a package of Rs 150 crore for opposition MLAs. Similarly, the ruling dispensation tendering an unconditional apology on the opening day of the monsoon session, for may eight special session fracas and announcing arrest of those mentioned in the fir within a week in a case of attack on opposition leader Narayan Rane's Kankavli residence clearly indicated the `upper hand' of the Sena-BJP opposition over the proceedings of the legislature. Summing up the session, similar sentiments were echoed by Rane, who said "an aggressive and determined opposition made the government accept its views on majority of issues". Countering Rane's claim, chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said "in a parliamentary democracy, people have an upper hand and not the treasury or opposition benches".

The Sena-BJP opposition also stalled the proceedings of the upper house demanding arrest of minister of state for general administration department (GAD) Dr Vijaykumar Gavit, against whom non-bailable cases have been registered in connection with corruption in Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojna.

Bureau Report.