The second day of the Maharashtra Monsoon Session witnessed heated exchanges between the ruling alliance and the Opposition, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray launching a sharp attack on Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over the functioning of departments under his charge.
The confrontation began after Opposition members raised concerns that ministers or ministers of state were not providing direct replies to calling attention motions in the Assembly. Aditya Thackeray alleged that departments handled by Shinde were being delegated to other ministers for answering questions in the House.
Speaking in the Assembly, Thackeray said that ministers should be prepared to answer questions related to the departments they oversee.
Taking a swipe at Shinde, he claimed that the Deputy Chief Minister was reluctant to respond to questions himself and said that if ministers were unable to answer, they should state so openly.
Thackeray also added that during the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government, no minister had avoided responsibility or shifted accountability to others.
He further objected to remarks made during the proceedings and demanded that certain statements be removed from the official records. Following the protest, Thackeray and other Opposition legislators staged a walkout from the House.
Shortly after the Opposition’s exit, Eknath Shinde arrived in the Assembly. Ministers briefed him on the issues raised by Thackeray, following which Shinde responded strongly to the criticism.
Addressing Opposition members seated on the front benches, Shinde asked where their “friend” Aditya Thackeray had gone. “Has he gone home?” Shinde remarked, adding that ministers had informed him about the comments made in his absence.
The Deputy Chief Minister also referred to the political developments that took place a day earlier and claimed that the setback had affected the Opposition. He alleged that Thackeray’s remarks reflected frustration following recent events.
Continuing his attack, Shinde took a dig at Opposition leaders, saying senior leaders should not be influenced by younger politicians. He also advised the Opposition to engage in introspection and quoted a Hindi saying, “Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others.”
Shinde further stated that the Opposition was rattled by recent political developments and suggested that more such shocks could follow in the future.
The verbal sparring between the two leaders added to the tense atmosphere in the Assembly.
