Would have 'torn' it: CLP leader opposes security bill after its house nod without Cong protest

Mumbai, Jul 17 (PTI) The Maharashtra Congress has sought an explanation from its legislature wing on the passage of a key security bill against Left-wing extremism with stringent provisions in the state assembly last week without any protest from the opposition party.

State unit chief Harshwardhan Sapkal wrote a letter to Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday to explain how the contentious bill was allowed to be passed without the Congress registering its opposition, a stand contrary to one decided at a meeting earlier, sources said on Thursday.

Sapkal has sought an explanation from Wadettiwar on directives of the party high command, they said.

Talking to reporters, Wadettiwar admitted he has been asked to give an explanation and asserted he was not aware the bill was to be taken up in the assembly for passage on July 10 -- the day when he was in his home district Chandrapur for a bank election -- otherwise he would have "torn" the bill.

Last week, both houses of the state legislature passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, which seeks to prevent unlawful activities of Left-wing extremist organisations with focus on 'urban Naxalism'.

The bill, which has stringent provisions, including hefty fines and jail term up to seven years for those found guilty, has sparked criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties, who view it as a tool to suppress dissent under the pretext of national security.

When the bill was to be taken up for passage in the assembly on July 10, notes containing pointers to speak in the house were circulated to all party MLAs, the sources said.

"But our CLP leader remained absent (from house) that day," a source said.

The next day (July 11), Congress MLCs protested and staged a walkout from the legislative council after voicing their opposition to the bill, as the party had issued a strict directive that what happened in the assembly should not be repeated in the upper house, as per the sources.

On June 30, when All India Congress Committee's Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala called a meeting of state party leaders, it was decided to oppose the bill.

However, in the assembly, only the lone CPI (M) MLA opposed the legislation.

Meanwhile, Wadettiwar told reporters that he along with deputy leader in the assembly Amin Patel and Congress group leader in the council Satej Patil have been asked to give details of legislature proceedings when the bill was taken up for passage last week.

"I have been asked to apprise the party who participated in the debate and who opposed it,'' the CLP leader maintained.

The former state minister admitted floor management in the legislature could have been better.

"I wasn't present (in assembly on July 10) because of district bank elections in Chandrapur where I am a voter. If I knew the bill is coming on that particular day, I would have cancelled my visit. I would have torn the bill,'' the Congress MLA asserted.

He informed that opposition members will be meeting Governor CP Radhakrishanan on Friday with a request to withhold his assent to the bill, which is required for it to become an Act.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav on Wednesday criticised the proposed law as excessively harsh and undemocratic.

He criticised the Mahayuti government for failing to provide any data or evidence to justify the need for the bill, calling the legislation was "worse than British-era laws". PTI MR GK RSY