Nagpur: The Legislative Assembly on Monday witnessed noisy scenes and menacing postures as flamboyant NCP member Chhagan Bhujbal and Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar exchanged hot words over a host of issues during discussion on supplementary demands. At one time, Mungantiwar was seen on the verge of rushing towards Bhujbal menacingly but was calmed down by other treasury bench members. Bhujbal was also making forceful points in furious manner and speaking loudly.
Bhujbal raised the issue of power bills worth Rs 2000 crore pending with big companies and government’s reluctance to recover them by showing favouritism. “Many villages have no electricity. Government promised to electrify each and every village. On the other hand, Rs 2000 crore are pending with Reliance Energy Company. The company has not paid a single rupee in last two years. But still no action is being initiated. After all the money belongs to people,” Bhujbal roared. On the other hand, bill amount is recovered forcibly from common people but lacked guts to recover pending dues from big companies. Such was the vehemence of Bhujbal’s charge that the Speaker Haribhau Bagde had to intervene and order Bhujbal to speak to the point. “Call Mahabharat while discussing Mahabharat. Don’t deviate and bring Ravan in the picture,” the Speaker admonished Bhujbal.
Reading out from a paper that mentioned the state was riddled with potholes before 2014, Bhujbal thundered and asked Mungantiwar whether the state is free of potholes now. Coming on the issue of tree plantation, the firebrand NCP member charged the government of displacing adivasis and other poor families during the tree plantation drive.
Bhujbal’s ferocious attack on government on various issues left Mungantiwar furious. The Finance Minister was seen standing up from his seat and pretending rushing towards Bhujbal as if to hit him. Other members from treasury benches calmed down Mungantiwar. The Speaker also directed Bhujbal to speak only on concerned subject and not deviate from the issues.
Bhujbal was speaking in the House first time after spending two years in jail in disproportionate assets case and released on bail. Earlier, Bhujbal arrived for Monsoon Session of State Legislature in city on Monday. Since Bhujbal was participating in proceedings of the House for the first time in two years, he was in focus of media persons and cameras. NCP leader and Opposition Leader in Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde welcomed Bhujbal at the entry gate of Vidhan Bhavan and escorted him respectfully to the Assembly. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Girish Bapat also welcomed Bhujbal and shook hands with him at the stairs of the House.
