Nagpur:
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Dilip Walse Patil today ruled that there was no statutory or constitutional obstacle in introducing Ajit Pawar as the Deputy Chief Minister in the Lower House.
He rejected the Opposition's contention which prompted them to enter the well of the House following which it was adjourned for 30 minutes.
Leader of Opposition in the Lower House, Eknath Khadse (BJP), and others during a Point of Procedure had yesterday contended that there was no post of Deputy Chief Minister as such in the Constitution and hence, the Chief Minister cannot introduce Mr Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister before the House.
The Speaker, who withheld his decision on the Point of Procedure yesterday at the end of debates, today announced his decision, thereby outrightly rejecting the Opposition's objection.
Mr Patil ruled that the post of Deputy Chief Minister was descriptive and there was nothing improper in administering oath to a Minister as per the provisions laid down in the Constitution, and as Deputy Chief Minister and for all practical purposes, he is deemed to be a Minister.
Following his ruling, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan stood up and introduced Mr Pawar as the Deputy Chief Minister amidst thumping of desks by the treasury benches.