Suspension of 19 MLAS likely to be withdrawn on Wed

The suspension of 19 Opposition legislators is likely to be withdrawn on Wednesday, when the budget session of the state legislature resumes after a break of three days.

The Congress and Ncp-led Opposition had boycotted the proceedings of the state Assembly from last Monday, following the suspension of 19 of its MLAS for disrupting the budget presentation last Saturday.

Following a series of meetings with the Opposition on Saturday, parliamentary affairs minister Girish Bapat announced in the Assembly that the government could withdraw the suspension by Wednesday.

However, the Opposition announced that it would continue with the Sangharsh Yatra, a state-wide protest for a complete loan waiver for farmers.

The protest march was planned by the Opposition parties, following the suspension of the MLAS.

After the Opposition decided to hold the protest from March 29 to April 5, the Bjp-led state government seems to have softened its stand, according to a source. The Opposition had stalled proceedings of the Assembly for the first two weeks of the budget session, over the loan-waiver issue.

Bapat said in the Assembly on Friday that the role of the Opposition is imperative in the proceedings of the House and government wants them to participate.

According to sources, the government agreed to the revocation of the suspension of the MLAS on the condition of the Opposition helping the government pass the appropriation bill.

As the Opposition has the majority in the Upper House, the bill could not be passed without their support and participation

The government put forth the proposal of revocation of the sus pension in two phases, which the Opposition opposed.

“The government and particu larly chief minister Devendra Fadnavis are adamant on contin uing the suspension. They pro posed to withdraw the suspen sion of 12 MLAS next week and the remaining MLAS in the last week,” said a Congress leader, on the condition of anonymity. He said that the Opposition, how ever, would not withdraw its plan of the Sangharsh Yatra, begin ning from Wedensday.

Jayant Patil, NCP group leader, said they were firm on the Sangharsh Yatra and were not interested in withdrawal of the suspension. “Our battle is for the demand of the waiver of the loan We are not bothered about the suspension and are not partici pating in the House proceedings even on Wednesday,” he said