Nagpur, Dec 13(PTI)The opposition parties in Maharashtra today staged a walkout in the assembly as they were not satisfied by the explanation given by PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal about the huge donations received by Bhujbal Foundation from India Bulls group. Bhujbal argued that the donation (of Rs 2.5 crore) was received from India Bulls for Nashik Festival and neither he nor any of his family members were benefited by donation. Earlier in the day, MNS had raised the issue in the assembly and two of its MLAs carried a banner in the house demanding Bhujbal's resignation. Enraged by their act of bringing banner inside the house, the speaker had suspended the two MLAs for the day. The MNS group leader Bala Nandgaonkar who later moved an adjournment motion on the issue of Bhujbal's donation said the suspension of two of his party's MLAs was not justified. The MNS argument was that former chief minister A R Antulay had to resign after it was revealed that he had accepted donation for his foundation and NCP chief Sharad Pawar should use the same yardstick for Bhujbal. Many members from Opposition benches including its Leader Eknath Khadse(BJP), Subhash Desai (Sena) and others wanted to know whether Bhujbal had sought permission from the Chief Minister to accept donation he being a Minister. They also called for revoking the suspension of the two MNS members. The Speaker accepted the requests for revoking the suspension. Bhujbal who was present in the house, sought to clarify his position stating the Nashik Festival was organised by an all- party committee and India Bulls contributed to the Festival held under the leadership of his MP son Sameer Bhujbal and there was no mal-practice in it. But the opposition parties were not satisfied by his defence and staged a walk-out shouting anti-Bhujbal slogans. PTI JOE ABC
