Sena leader killed himself because of note ban, GST, says Cong leader

Training its guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led NDA dispensation at the Centre and Maharashtra, the Opposition claimed that a Shiv Sena leader ended his life last week blaming his extreme step on demonetisation and the introduction of GST.

Rahul Phalke (32) a jeweller, who hailed from Karad in Satara district, committed suicide on 16 March, by jumping in front of a train. He was also a Shiv Sena worker.

According to the Satara Police, Phalke had sent messages to his friends and relatives on social media stating that he had suffered losses in his jewellery business due to demonetisation and GST and was not able to manage.

"Rahul Phalke was a Shiv Sena worker. Why is the Shiv Sena still supporting the BJP. Both the decisions (demonetisation and GST) are of the Centre. Some Opposition members have moved a no-confidence motion (against the BJP-led government)," said Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

"He was a Shiv Sena worker and had faith in (Shiv Sena President) Uddhav Thackeray....the Shiv Sena should vote in favour of the no-confidence motion," added the senior Congress leader.

Shiv Sena is the oldest ally of the BJP and is part of the NDA at the Centre and the Devendra Fadnavis-headed saffron alliance government in Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab said that he will support the no-confidence motion only if it is in the interest of the nation.

"The Sena will support a no-confidence motion if it is in the interest of nation, but certainly not any politically motivated motion... ," he said.