08 March,2022 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Dharmendra Jore
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar at Vidhan Bhavan, Monday. Pic/Suresh Karkera
The BJP-led Opposition on Monday cooperated with the state government on making laws to delay the local body polls that would otherwise be held without the reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). However, they protested against the decision of disconnecting power supply to farmers and alleged police atrocities against the elected representatives, forcing the curtailment of day's business in the ongoing Budget session.
The amendment to the laws that govern the urban and rural local bodies is expected to give the government time to collate empirical data for providing political quota to the OBCs. The Supreme Court has rejected the interim report of the State Backward Class Commission, calling it incomplete and sans study. The SC wants the government to establish the region-wise political backwardness of the OBCs. It asked the State Election Commission (SEC) to conduct polls without the OBC quota in the local bodies.
The revised law transfers some of the SEC's powers to the government, which will now restructure the electoral wards/divisions and also decide the reserved ones among them. The structuring and restructuring, if any, done by the SEC till date, has been annulled by the new law and the process will start afresh. The government will send its recommendation to the SEC that will take the final decision, like the polling schedule.
Mumbai, where the term of the BMC ended on Monday, had started ward reformation, but with amended law in force, the process will have to be carried out again. The BMC would have its five-yearly election and the new house in order by Monday itself, but the pandemic delayed the exercise first and now the OBC quota issue will push it further ahead.
Opposition leader in the Assembly Devendra Fadnavis, who first suggested the state has a Madhya Pradesh-like law, expected the government to fulfil the task of gathering empirical data for the SC's perusal. "We agreed to cooperate (to pass the law unanimously) because it gives the government time to do what is required. It should make a report to submit before the SC and facilitate the quota. The countdown has begun for the government," he said, adding that the SEC will have the final authority to decide poll dates.
In the Upper House, Opposition MLC Vinayak Mete wanted to know whether the new law will stand the court's scrutiny. "The government has taken some powers of the election commission. But does it have the power to do so?" he asked. To this, chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar asked him to move the court. Deputy Chief Minister Pawar Ajit pacified Mete, saying he would discuss the doubts.
The Opposition demanded to know why electricity connections of farmers were being cut despite Pawar's promise of uninterrupted supply for those who pay the latest bill.
Fadnavis narrated an incident of a young farmer from Solapur, who talked live about his plight on a social media platform before taking his life. The BJP leader accused the government of driving the distressed farmers to take extreme steps. "If the government can give builders a discount in premium duty and reduce tax on liquor, why can't it help the farmers?" he asked.
State Congress president Nana Patole also demanded relief for the farmers. He wondered whether the minister of state was advertising for the power company while answering the questions. Energy Minister Nitin Raut took over from his junior and engaged the Opposition with his counter, but the matter did not settle.
Accusations were also made about police atrocities against the Opposition MLAs. BJP's Badnera MLA Ravi Rana accused the local police of booking him for attempt to murder on the instructions of the political masters. Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil dismissed the allegations of political interference, but assured the House that the additional director of police (law and order) will probe the pressing of charges.
Speaking outside, Fadnavis said the actions were nothing but vendetta politics. "Don't let this state turn into another West Bengal. Don't frame the Opposition members in false cases," he said, decrying the police action against Union minister Narayan Rane and his MLA son Nitesh who spent nine hours at a Mumbai police station.
Walse Patil announced that Beed district's superintendent of police will be sent on a compulsory leave after the local NCP and BJP legislators complained of poor law and order. He said the situation will be probed in 15 days. The day's business did not last long, as the Opposition shouted anti-government slogans. The House was adjourned after some important bills were passed amid chaos.
