Maharashtra budget-session begins, Opposition boycotts Governor's address over RSS remarks
Opposition parties today boycotted Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao's address to the joint sitting of the Maharashtra legislature to voice their protest against his recent remarks on the RSS. Earlier this month, Rao had said in Nagpur that the RSS is one of the most secular and inclusive organizations as it has always respected the right of individuals to practice their own faith. Read more.
'Were doubtful if it'll be governor's or RSS person's address'
Expressing displeasure over the remarks, opposition members stayed away from the Central Hall where the governor arrived to address the joint sitting of both the Houses on the first day of the budget-session. The leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Dhananjay Munde said they boycotted the address because they "were doubtful if it'll be the governor's address or that of a RSS person".
RSS 'sows seeds of divisiveness,' says NCP leader Jayant Patil
"A governor's post is constitutional. We had doubts whether his speech was going to be in the interest of the state or the RSS. Hence, we decided to boycott it," said Munde. NCP's group leader in the Assembly Jayant Patil said that the opposition had taken the decision to protest Rao's support to the RSS, "which sows the seeds of divisiveness".
Boycotted speech as promises made by governor remained unfulfilled: Patil
"A governor's post is constitutional and his remarks were unwarranted. The governor supports the RSS. The promises made by the governor have remained unfulfilled, so we have decided to boycott his speech," Patil told the media outside the house. Before the governor could begin his speech, opposition parties staged a protest against Rao's remarks at the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan.
Opposition parties also boycotted customary tea party hosted by CM
Some opposition members also raised slogans against the BJP-led state government. On Sunday, opposition parties boycotted the customary tea party hosted by CM Devendra Fadnavis on the eve of the interim budget session. They said state government shouldn't announce any "populist" or policy decisions during the six-day session. The vote-on-account, which will have budget provisions till July 31, will be tabled on February 27.
