Babhli dispute stalls House proceedings

Mumbai: No business could be carried on in the Maharashtra legislative assembly Monday as both the Opposition and ruling party members protested against former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu over the Babhli barrage dispute.

The House was adjourned twice for 20 minutes each over this issue, as soon as the House assembled after the weekend recess, shouting slogans against the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief, Naidu, who was arrested in Nanded district of Maharashtra for violating prohibitory orders last week.

They also displayed placards and shouted slogans like "Chale Jaao" (go away).

Setting aside their political differences, all the members, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan whose home town is Nanded, were on their feet while many rushed to the well.

It was the same in the legislative council which was adjourned twice amid noisy scenes. When the assembly reconvened, Speaker Dilip Walse Patil said he was adjourning the house for the day considering the strong sentiments of all party members.

Leader of Opposition Pandurang Phundkar moved an adjournment notice demanding a discussion on the Babhli project. Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote demanded that the state government clear its stand on the matter as the situation had become politically precarious.