Scenes from Vidhan Bhavan: Maharashtra Budget Session 2026 Enters Second Week
The Maharashtra Budget Session 2026 entered its second week on Wednesday, marking a significant phase in the state's legislative calendar. The day was filled with various activities, from friendly exchanges among political rivals to heated debates on pressing issues. Here are the key moments captured by mid-day.com lensman Sayyed Sameer Abedi.
Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Neelam Gorhe was one of the first to arrive at Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday. Her presence set the tone for the day, which was marked by a mix of formal proceedings and informal interactions.
Rival leaders, Shiv Sena’s Nilesh Rane and Congress’ Bhai Jagtap, were seen exchanging greetings in a display of political camaraderie. This moment highlighted the sometimes surprising cordiality that can exist between political adversaries.
However, not all interactions were as smooth. Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Narahari Zirwal faced a challenging day. The minister was recently embroiled in a controversy after an FDA clerk, Rajendra Dherange, was allegedly caught accepting a Rs 35,000 bribe at Mantralaya, the state secretariat in south Mumbai. Despite the controversy, Zirwal was present and engaged in the day's proceedings.
On Wednesday, a heated verbal argument broke out between BJP's Akkalkot MLA Sachin Kalyanshetti and Shiv Sena (UBT) senior MLA Bhaskar Jadhav in the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan premises. The argument drew attention and underscored the intensity of political debates during the session.
Senior Congress leader Nana Patole voiced concerns over the Maharashtra government's handling of multiple crises, including significant crop damage for farmers due to the West Asia conflict. His concerns were echoed by several other leaders, highlighting the pressing issues facing the state.
Former minister Dhananjay Munde was seen speaking to the media before the proceedings began. His presence and comments added to the day's media coverage, providing insights into the session's key topics and debates.
BJP legislator Namita Mundada, who represents the Kaij Assembly in Beed district, was seen with her family. This personal touch added a human element to the otherwise formal proceedings, reminding everyone of the personal lives of the political figures involved.
The day's activities at Vidhan Bhavan were a microcosm of the broader political landscape in Maharashtra, with moments of both cooperation and conflict. As the session progresses, it will be interesting to see how these dynamics play out and what decisions are made to address the state's challenges.
