The first day of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was marked by an uproar over the fire that ravaged the State Secretariat building.
Even before Vande Matram was sung in the House, opposition benches raised slogans against treasury benches. The Speaker, Mr D. Walse Patil, was forced to adjourn the House twice.
The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Eknath Khadse, in his opening remarks, said the fire at the State Secretariat was an act of sabotage. It was a grave incident and should be discussed immediately, he said.
He sought priority for discussions on the fire incident. His demand was supported by MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.
Shiv Sena leader Mr Subhash Desai said the people of the State perceived the fire as an act of sabotage meant to destroy vital Government files.
Despite the Chief Minister, Mr Prithviraj Chavan’s repeated assurances that the Government was ready for a debate on the fire the Opposition members kept raising slogans against the Government.
Finally, the Speaker ruled that the debate on the fire incident would be held on Tuesday.
The House was adjourned for the day.