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Swati Kulkarni in Bombay
The Opposition Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party combine in Maharashtra on Thursday did not participate in the assembly proceedings protesting against the Democratic Front government's refusal to revoke the suspension of nine BJP MLAs. They were also demanding action against Health Minister Eknathrao Gaikwad, who has been accused of accepting bribes from project-affected youths to provide them government jobs.
The alliance members stood silently in the House, refusing to take their seats, before staging a walkout when Finance Minister Jayant Patil began his reply to the Budget debate.
The nine BJP MLAs were placed under suspension for the rest of the session after they disrupted Patil's Budget speech.
The assembly on Thursday was adjourned six times as appeals made by speaker Arun Gujarathi, Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and Legislative Affairs Minister Rohidas Patil for Opposition's co-operation fell on deaf ears.
During the protest, some Opposition members covered their mouths with black cloth strips, while a few used their handkerchiefs.
The issue of BJP MLAs' suspension was raised by the Leader of the Opposition Narayan Rane as soon as the House assembled for the day.
Rane said the DF government had given an assurance that the matter concerning the nine MLAs would be resolved. "The government is going back on it's word," he charged.
Meanwhile, the government has withdrawn the jail sentence awarded to five students who jumped down from the visitors' gallery in the state assembly on Wednesday. The students were protesting against the government's decision to derecognise some colleges.
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