Nagpur: The Legislative Assembly on Friday witnessed heated exchange of words over birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. BJP member Suresh Halvankar said that confusion prevails over birth anniversary of the Maratha King and demanded setting of a committee of expert historians in this regard. But the Opposition members took strong objection to the demand. What followed was a war of words between the ruling and opposition benches.
The contention of the Opposition members was that the issue was argued earlier also. Committees of historians were appointed. The birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated on February 19. The Chief Minister goes to Shivneri on Shiv Jayanti and pays tributes to Maharaj. Then why discussion on this issue? questioned NCP’s Dilip Walse Patil and Ajit Pawar.
Posing a query whether the State Government has changed its posture, the two leaders urged the Speaker to expunge the discussion from records. With this, the Opposition members rushed to the Well of the House and resorted to sloganeering. The ruling party members too rallied behind Suresh Halvankar and trooped towards Well and raised slogans. Finally, the Speaker intervened and said it is the right of the members. Thereafter calm prevailed but Jitendra Awhad staged a walk out from the House.
