Maha Budget session: 5 panel speakers chosen in Council

Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar on Monday announced five panel speakers for the Budget session which started on Monday and is scheduled to go on till March 20. The five panel speakers are Gopikishan Bajoria (Shiv Sena), Aniket Tatkare (NCP), Anil Sole (BJP), Duttatray Sawant (Teachers' constituency) and Sudhir Tambe (Congress).

Nimbalkar also announced the appointment of Ajit Pawar as Leader of the House in the Council replacing Shiv Sena's Subhash Desai. "Pawar's political acumen and sharp understanding of issues is much required to face a strong opposition like the BJP, which completed a five-year tenure and is expected to take an aggressive stand against the Uddhav Thackeray government," said an NCP leader.

The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government also tabled amendment bills seeking election of one candidate from one ward in local body elections and removal of special invitees on agriculture produce market committees (APMCs).