Shiv Sena, MNS MLA suspended from Maha Assembly over abusive language

MNS member Pravin Darekar was suspended for one year after he made an "objectionable" remark in the assembly after Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's reply Friday on a day-long debate Thursday on Mumbai, said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Patil.

Darekar, who has been suspended till the end of monsoon session in 2014, will not be permitted to enter the legislature during the current session, the winter session in Nagpur in December, and the budget session here next February.

Deputy Speaker Vasant Purke said Darekar had indulged in "severe violation of the legislature's norms".

Shiv Sena legislative council member Diwakar Raote was also suspended for the rest of this year for using "unparliamentary language" in the chamber of the house chairman during a meeting in connection with a debate over the multi-crore rupee irrigation department scam.

"Raote used unparliamentary language during a meeting today (Friday) morning," Patil said, announcing his suspension till Dec 31.

Later, Raote claimed that he had no knowledge why he was suspended. "What unparliamentary language I used? The ruling party legislators were making noisy scenes in the house at that time," he said.

Friday's development came two days after (July 24) the legislature revoked the suspension of five legislators who were involved in the assault on a policeman on duty inside the legislature building last March.

Talking to reporters at Vidhan Bhawan, Darekar denied that he had made any objectionable remarks in the House and described the decision to suspend him from the House for a year as objectionable.

"I am ready to swear on my family deity that I never uttered the words I am accused of saying," the MNS legislator said.

Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse said the government had hatched a conspiracy to ensure that all important business listed for the day was completed at any cost.

"They wanted to pass the bills without any discussion. They wanted to avoid debate on irrigation scam," the BJP leader said.

"In the Legislative Council, the opposition has initiated a no trust move against the Chairman, after repeated attempts to have a debate on the irrigation scam were foiled. In the Lower House too, we are planning a similar move. A meeting of party group leaders will be convened soon on the issue," Khadse said.