NCP’s Group Leader Jayant Patil suspended for remaining period of Winter Session
   Date :23-Dec-2022

Jayant Patil suspended  
 
 
 
Staff Reporter
Group Leader of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Jayant Patil was suspended from Legislative Assembly for the remainder of the Winter Session of State Legislature over objectionable remarks allegedly against the Speaker, Rahul Narvekar. For the first time in parliamentary history, a Group Leader faced such a disciplinary action.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil moved the motion post deliberations held in the chamber of the Speaker. The issue flared up when Patil intervened during the discussion on supplementary grants.
Prior to that the Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar was called upon to express his view on the grants. He urged the Speaker to provide opportunity to Shiv Sena leader Bhaskar Jadhav as more number of members from Treasury benches were allowed to speak. Patil joined the discussion and surprisingly, for the person of his stature, he slipped and ended up uttering an objectionable remark.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who in the House immediately was on his feet and said, casting aspersions on the Chair is unheard of and in such a fashion as done by Patil is condemnable. The Treasury benches were on their feet and sought an apology amidst din in the House as the Opposition members tried to ring fence Patil. In the bedlam, the House was adjourned as members of both the sides engaged in slogan shouting.
Thereafter a meeting was held at Speaker's chamber to thrash out the issue. However ruling side pressed for disciplinary action against Patil saying it the issue of decorum and tradition of House that is supreme.
When the House reconvened after an adjournment of half an hour, State Excise Minister Shambhuraj Desai made the opening statement calling for action against Patil, as it's unheard of to doubt the Speaker who is considered neutral in House. Patil he said is most respected member of the Assembly and is an inspiration for new comers and hence the use of objectionable words on part of him has lowered the dignity of the House.
The Speaker thereafter asked Parliamentary Affairs Minister who tabled the motion. In the motion, Patil also mentioned about setting-up of a committee of House to frame conduct and ethics so that such incidents can be avoided in future.
Patil further said even if Patil is to tender apology or express regret it would not heal the wounds that have been cause due to use of wrong expression. Even as Parliamentary Affairs Minister was making the statement, members of Treasury benches moved into Well of the House pressing for action against Patil.
The use of unparliamentary word on part of Patil is not upto high standards of parliamentary democracy and condoning the act would set a wrong precedent. Hence Parliamentary Affairs Minister tabled the motion to suspend Patil for rest of the period of winter session from Assembly. Also during the suspension period, Patil will not be able to enter in Vidhan Bhavan campus at Nagpur and at Mumbai. The motion was passed with voice vote as ruling side has comfortable majority.
Make a fresh start: Ajit Pawar to party cadre
Speaking after the adoption of the motion, Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar sought to clarify the position and said under his leadership it has been endeavoured to ensure smooth functioning of the House. The same was evident in the monsoon session where post split in Shiv Sena, the party sentiments were high. Still the House functioned smoothly. In fact, the incident should not have occurred at all and expressed regret for the same. Pawar further added that he was not seeking leniency nor disciplinary action against his colleague Patil.
However, Maharashtra has highest regards for parliamentary procedures, traditions and is known in country for cordial relations between ruling and opposition parties for years. Asking that let bygones be bygones, Pawar hoped a new beginning would be made from tomorrow and urged every member to make a fresh start.
After making the statement, Pawar said, the Opposition was staging a walkout from the House. The Opposition stance was seen as symbolic and rallying in support of the embarrassed Jayant Patil.
House accepts Govt’s proposal for Rs 52,000 cr supplementary grants
After two days of intense debate, the Legislative Assembly unanimously voted to accept proposal of Maharashtra Government seeking over Rs 52,000 cr supplementary grants for year 2022-23. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis placed the proposal seeking clearance to supplementary grants sought for Departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries. The House later approved the same with voice vote. The main important business, apart from bills, of winter session is supplementary grants that ruling party seeks to meet extra expenditure that was incurred over and above the budgeted expenses.