The Maharashtra Assembly on Friday touched a new low. Pravin Darekar, a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) was suspended for one year for hurling abuses at Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. The Opposition parties have strongly denied the government’s claim calling it a move to silence them.
In a similar incident, Shiv Sena’s senior leader and a Member of Legislative Council (MLC), Diwakar Rawte, was suspended till December 31, 2013 for indecent behaviour with Shivajirao Deshmukh, Speaker of the Legislative Council.
Both the incidents come a day after the suspension of five MLAs was revoked. All five were suspended after they were seen beating the Police Sub-Inspector inside the assembly.
Discontent over CM’s reply
The incident in the Assembly took place after the opposition parties expressed discontent over Mr. Chavan’s answer to the discussion over the problems faced by Mumbai and neighbouring cities. As the entire Opposition staged a walk-out, Mr. Darekar was heard speaking in abusive language about Mr. Chavan’s speech. The ruling MLAs stalled the proceedings of the Assembly, demanding immediate suspension of the MNS MLA.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Patil presented a resolution seeking suspension of Mr. Darekar and it was approved despite opposition raising strong objections to it.
While, in council, Sena leader allegedly behaved indecently with the Speaker in the latter’s cabin. Mr. Deshmukh had called an all-party meeting in his cabin to discuss the issue of irrigation scam. Mr. Rawte allegedly behaved violently with him in the meeting, which led to his suspension from the council.
Khadse: bid to silence us
“It is a clear attempt to silence us. Those who are aggressively raising issues against the government are targeted. We will be bringing no-confidence motion against the Speakers of both the Houses,” said Eknath Khadse, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly.
Mr. Darekar while speaking with the reporters claimed that he had never said any abusive words against Mr. Chavan. “I was aggressive in the House, but I was within my limits. May be they want to silence me for raising uncomfortable questions,” he said.
Suspended from the council, Mr. Rawte on Friday evening sent a letter to the Speaker of the Council, claiming he was targeted for crime which he did not commit. “I respect you as a Speaker of the House. If you have a feeling of insult, I will not hesitate in apologising to you,” he said.
