The controversy over Advocate General Shrihari Aney’s statement on a separate statehood for Marathwada is not the first time during his five-month stint after being appointed as a successor to Sunil Manohar in October 2015.
Mr Aney, known as a staunch supporter of separate Vidarbha, landed in controversy during the winter session of the legislature after he openly voiced his support for the separate statehood for Vidarbha.
The Shiv Sena was forced to join the opposition Congress and NCP in a protest against Mr Aney. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis then had sidelined the issue by terming it as his personal opinion.
The government again came under criticism for the failure of its law and judiciary department after it unsuccessfully presented its side in the Supreme Court, which led to the court asking the state to issue licences to dance bars.
Since then, the government has been claiming that it will bring in a new law to stop dance bars from opening, especially in Mumbai.
The State government was left red-faced in the Bombay High Court after Mr Aney, while arguing the case related to farmers’ suicides, said that the state machinery has been ‘inept’ in handling the suicides. Sena mouthpiece Saamna even wrote an editorial over his comments on the government’s functioning instead of arguing the case.
NCP leader Jayant Patil on Monday targeted the Advocate General questioning the timing of his speech. “He had spoken last time during the Assembly session. He has spoken now, again when the session is in progress. Did anyone hear him speaking in between these two sessions? Why? Is he doing it purposely?” asked Mr Patil.
Pointing the finger at the CM, Mr Patil said the manner in which Mr Aney is repeatedly making such statements is indicative of the fact that he has the support of a person who appointed him or there are certain powers backing him. “Now that the government avoided a vote on Monday, we do not know what they will plan at night. We expect them to declare his ouster on Tuesday morning.”
Congress MLA Nitesh Rane went a step ahead while commenting on the Advocate General, claiming a person like him who wants to break Maharashtra into pieces would feel the pain only if he was broken into two different parts.
The Advocate General had landed in trouble during the winter session of the legislature as well
