The Opposition has cried foul over not getting much opportunity to question the MVA government in the five-day winter session of the state legislature that begins on Wednesday. On the eve of the session, it alleged that the government was deliberate in curtailing the session and resorted to tactics that deny the BJP an even ground to speak for the public and expose the ruling parties for two years of mismanagement.

Declaring a boycott of the chief minister’s customary tea party, Opposition leader in the Assembly Devendra Fadnavis said the government had halted democratic process, and attacked the MVA for changing the rules of the Speaker’s election that is slated to be held later this week. He said that 12 BJP legislators were suspended with the sole purpose of reducing the Opposition’s strength. “The MVA knows that its government is in danger, hence they sent home our 12 MLAs,” he said, decrying a move to hold a voice vote instead of secret ballot for electing the Speaker who will be from the Congress.