Opposition corners govt over ‘corrupt’ ministers

IN THE UPPER HOUSE, MINISTERS CLAIMED THEIR INNOCENCE AND EVEN OFFERED TO RESIGN IF PROVED GUILTY

MUMBAI: The Opposition parties — the Congress and the NCP — don’t want to let the ministers in the BJP government facing corruption charges get away easily.

To corner the government, the Opposition legislators on Monday disrupted proceedings of both the Houses of the state legislature demanding probe into the allegations. They created a din, which led to proceedings being adjourned for the day, after 10 ministers individually claimed their innocence to the corruption accusations.

In the Upper House, all the ministers claimed their innocence and even declared to resign from the government if proved guilty.

However, the Opposition expressed dissatisfaction and insisted any probe that includes committee of sitting judge or retired judge, Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) or SIT probes. Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane even demanded constitution of a probe commission to investigate all the charges against the ministers.

In the Council, the Opposition raised strong objections over chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ reply defending his ministers and accused him of misguiding the House.

Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde said, “You (BJP-SENA government) are now facing the same what you had done in the past 15 years during the Congress-ncp rule.”

They also alleged that the presiding officer pushed through the business on Friday after the debate on corruption. The House was adjourned amid uproar over the issue.

The Upper House for the past three days discussed financial irregularities by ministers and alleged that almost 10 ministers have been facing serious charges and need to face investigation.