'Vande Mataram Not Sung, Procedure Violated': Devendra Fadnavis Fires at Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra Assembly

Mumbai, November 30: Former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has now assumed the role of Leader of Opposition, slammed the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government for not making the House sing Vande Mataram during the opening session. Fadnavis called it a violation of rules, and demanded the cancellation of the session as it has not been convened as per the rules.

"This assembly session is not per rules.This session started without Vande Mataram, it is a violation of rule," Fadnavis said ahead of the floor test. He appealed Pro-Tem Speaker Dilip Walse-Patil to call off the session alleging a "clear violation" of the laid procedure. Devendra Fadnavis Slams Thackeray’s Decision on Aarey Metro Car Shed.

"This assembly session is not per rules.This session started without Vande Mataram, it is a violation of rule," the BJP leader said, ahead of the scheduled trust vote which the Uddhav Thackeray-led government was to undertake.

Update by ANI

Walse-Patil dismissed the allegations levelled by Fadnavis, claiming that session for floor test has been called in accordance with the Supreme Court-laid guidelines. "You are raising a issue which is of out of the House," the Pro-Tem Speaker said.

Fadnavis, however, reiterating his objection saying, "Never in the history of Maharashtra Assembly a trust vote was conducted without electing a Speaker. What was the fear this time?"

The BJP legislators staged en-masse walkout after Fadnavis was not allowed to raise the issue any further. Before leaving the Assembly, the Leader of Opposition said, "If I am not allowed to speak on the Constitution then I have no right to sit in this House."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 30, 2019 02:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).