New Delhi, November 25: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday finally broke his silence on ongoing political twists and turns in Maharashtra. Speaking in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said that democracy has been murdered in Maharashtra. He made these remarks during Question Hour when Speaker Om Birla told him to ask a supplementary. He had not said a word on the poll outcome of Maharashtra in the past one month. Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress Stake Claim to Form Maharashtra Government as Devendra Fadnavis Takes Charge as Chief Minister.
"I wanted to ask a question in the House but it doesn't make any sense to ask a question right now as democracy has been murdered in Maharashtra," Rahul Gandhi said. In an early morning twist, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis and Nationalist Congress Party's Ajit Pawar took oath as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively on Saturday. This happened a few hours after the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress finalised their alliance to form a government. Sharad Pawar Says 8-11 NCP MLAs Hoodwinked to Attend Swearing-in Ceremony of Ajit Pawar.
The government formation by the BJP along with Ajit Pawar come under the Supreme Court's scrutiny with the Centre being asked to produce before the court letters of the Governor inviting Fadnavis as well as the communication of the BJP leader staking his claim. On Monday, the Supreme Court reserved its order of petition by the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress seeking a floor test for tomorrow.
Congress MPs Clash With Lok Sabha Marshals:
Meanwhile, in Lok Sabha, Congress lawmakers raised slogans in protest against the BJP over government formation in Maharashtra. A section of Congress MPs clashed with Lok Sabha marshals after the Speaker ordered them to be removed from the House. A fistfight broke out after Speaker Om Birla ordered marshals to remove Congress MPs Hibi Eden and TN Prathapan were holding a banner which read "Stop murder of democracy" inside the Lok Sabha.
"We were in the well of the House, there was no contact with Marshals unless they enter the well. They tried to get banners from us and our colleagues tried to resist it. Our women colleagues were manhandled too," lawmaker Hibi Eden said. Outside Parliament, Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi led the demonstration against the BJP. The leaders were heard raising slogans "Ab ki baar, baimani ki sarkar" and "Stop murder of democracy".
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 25, 2019 12:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).