The Maharashtra legislature’s Monsoon Session is scheduled to get underway in Mumbai on Monday. The Vidhan Bhavan Complex at Nariman Point will host the three-week session beginning on Monday, July 17, and running through Sunday, August 4.
It will be the first session following Ajit Pawar’s decision to break with his uncle Sharad Pawar, the head of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and join forces with the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition alongside a number of NCP MLAs. Ajit Pawar was the previous leader of the opposition and a prominent NCP member.
A total of 24 bills have been proposed for the Monsoon session. Out of these, 10 have received approval from the Cabinet, while 14 are still awaiting approval, after which they will be presented.
The Legislative Council has already approved one bill, which will be presented to the Assembly. Also anticipated is the introduction of a measure that is now before the joint committee of both chambers.
Along with these 24 measures, 6 already-passed ordinances will also be brought up for approval by the legislature during the monsoon session. Six other ordinances that are already in force will also be tabled for the legislature’s approval during the monsoon session.
Maharashtra administration will not misuse the alliance influence: Devendra Fadnavis before Monsoon Session
Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister, had earlier stated that the administration will not misuse its current influence in the State Assembly, despite the alliance’s larger representation in the chamber.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, held a joint press conference on the eve of the State Assembly session and stated that the government would not misuse its current position in the House, despite the alliance’s increased representation.
The Eknath Shinde administration, according to Devendra Fadnavis, would address any concerns voiced by the opposition about the welfare of the public. “Maharashtra legislature Monsoon session starts from tomorrow. We will discuss all the issues during the session. Even though our strength has increased we will make sure that we do not misuse it and address all the issues related to the welfare of the people that will be raised by the opposition,” he said.
Opposition should criticise state government but must acknowledge good work too: CM Shinde
Chief Minister Shinde stated during the joint conference that the opposition should criticise the state government for the welfare of the populace but also acknowledge good work when it is done.
“As always Opposition boycott Tea program of monsoon session. We will discuss all the issues during the session. More than 210 MLAs are with us (current government). Opposition must question us if we are doing wrong, questions must be raised for the welfare of the people. It is the duty of the opposition to praise the government when the government does something right,” Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated.