Mumbai

Controversy over execution of 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts convict Yakub Memon found its echo in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today with the Sena-BJP demanding that Congress MLAs who have sent a letter to the President seeking commutation of his death sentence to life, be booked for treason.

The Lower House saw six adjournments amid sloganeering and uproarious scenes by Sena-BJP and Opposition Congress-NCP legislators.

As soon as the House assembled for the day and the Speaker Haribhau Bagde called for the Question Hour, Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil demanded discussion on allegations of corruption against BJP ministers and also debate on Marathwada development.

The Speaker asked the Opposition to allow Question Hour to be taken up after which decision on the issues raised by them be decided.

Congress-NCP members aggressively pressed for their demand and came into the well shouting slogans.

Gulabrao Patil (Sena) said seven Congress MLAs who signed a letter to the President opposing death sentence to Yakub should be tried for treason.

“They are anti-nationals as they have questioned the verdict of the Supreme Court,” he said.

Sena-BJP members raised slogans demanding “dalals” (agents) of Yakub Memon be punished.

Sena members also brought actor Salman Khan’s photo with a noose after his alleged controversial tweets on Yakub.

Vikhe Patil said there was no point in raising sub-judice matters in the House and the Congress has never questioned the decision of the Supreme court.

Amid slogan shouting, Aslam Sheikh (Congress) tried to clarify on the letter to the President but was shouted down by the agitated Sena-BJP members.

The Chair also rushed through day’s agenda of laying of papers, adopting resolution not to accept Supreme Court notice regarding breach of privilege to writer Shobha De.

Similarly, the House passed Co-operative Institutions Amendment bill, Municipal Corporation Amendment bill, Official Language Amendment bill, Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Amendment bill and another bill to postpone elections to management council and senate in universities.

Prashant Bamb (BJP) initiated the debate on Marathwada development and irrigation and Yogesh Sagar, who was in the Chair adjourned the House for the day.

Later talking to reporters, former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan condemned the government for ‘stalling’ proceedings of the House.

“We lost a day and the ruling alliance members have not allowed discussion on their own debate of Marathwada irrigation and development.

“It was agreed that law and order and corruption charges against ministers will be debated. We suspect the government wants to avoid discussion on corruption and does not want law and order debate to come up,” he said.

Chavan said if the government stance is not to adhere to what was assured in the speaker’s chamber, Opposition’s cooperation in running the house should not be expected.

He said the opposition has demanded the monsoon session be extended by a week.

To a question on Congress MLAs sending letter to the President seeking commutation of Yakub Memon’s death sentence to life, Chavan said the official party line has been that Supreme Court decision is binding to all.

PTI