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Loss of face for Shiv Sena

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI April 26. The Opposition Shiv Sena had to eat crow in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today after trying to press a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, Arun Gujarati.

The Leader of the Opposition, Narayan Rane, piqued by three adjournments that followed the din raised by his demand for admission of an adjournment motion on the communal situation in Bhiwandi, sought to press a year-old no confidence motion against Mr. Gujarati.

But before inking the letter, Mr. Rane had, obviously, not factored the thin attendance on his side. Mr. Gujarati announced the receipt of the letter and the Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh, said the motion had to be taken up immediately.

Mr. Gujarati responded by vacating the chair for his deputy, Pramod Shendge. The latter called those who supported the motion to stand up. The rule concerned needed at least 29 MLAs to stand up and express their support so that the motion could be taken up for discussion and vote.

The BJP leader, Gopinath Munde, salvaged the situation for his side saying that such a motion had to be put on the agenda of the House after it was cleared by the Business Advisory Committee. But the Chief Minister would not relent.

Then, Mr. Munde said that it was not proper to discuss the functioning of the Speaker so openly. Several members endorsed this view and the House was adjourned. On meeting again, Mr. Deshmukh formally requested Mr. Rane to withdraw the motion. Mr. Rane merely said that he was not pressing it.

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