Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has slammed the estranged ally BJP for protesting the suspension of its 12 legislators for abusive language and alleged manhandling of the presiding officer Bhaskar Jadhav on Monday in the state assembly and in the Speaker’s chamber.
Raut’s reaction came when BJP boycotted the proceedings of the monsoon session in the state legislature on the concluding day to protest against the suspension of 12 MLAs and not allowing them to speak.
However, Raut in a tweet said, ‘’ Dear Devendraji (leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis) how can you forget passing a resolution in the same assembly on March 22, 2017, to suspend 19 MLAs of Congress and NCP for unruly conduct? Be brave and say your score of 19 is higher than 12.’’
Meanwhile, NCP minister Nawab Malik urged the deputy speaker Narhari Zirwal to initiate action against BJP legislator Atul Bhatkhalk who after his suspension yesterday made objectionable statements on social media.
The BJP held protests in different parts of the state, condemning the MVA government's action against the opposition party's MLAs.
Several BJP legislators squatted on the stairs of the Vidhan Bhavan building in Mumbai and shouted slogans against the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA-comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress) government.
The 12 MLAs against whom the action was taken were not seen as they are not allowed to enter the Legislature building during the suspension period.
The 12 suspended members are- Sanjay Kute, Ashish Shelar, Abhimanyu Pawar, Girish Mahajan, Atul Bhatkhalkar, Parag Alavani, Harish Pimpale, Yogesh Sagar, Jay Kumar Rawat, Narayan Kuche, Ram Satpute and Bunty Bhangdia.
On Monday, these 12 MLAs met Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, seeking his intervention into the matter, and complained against the MVA government for "trampling upon the democracy".
(With inputs from PTI)