Mumbai: In an unprecedented development, the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Tuesday suspended Leader of the Opposition Ambadas Danve for five days for using unparliamentary language in the House a day ago.
Danve is a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray.
This is for the first time that a Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra legislature has been suspended - either from the Assembly or from the Council.
Danve used abusive words on Monday after a heated exchange with BJP legislator Prasad Lad, who called for a resolution against Rahul Gandhi while also condemning the Lok Sabha’s LoP's speech inside the parliament on July 1 - which he labelled as an insult to the Hindu community and its sentiments.
Danve, however, said: "If you wish to make your point, direct it to the Deputy Chairperson and refrain from pointing at me". Thereafter, abusive words were used by Danve, which was pointed out to the Chair by BJP legislator Pravin Darekar.
The BJP members were on their feet demanding an apology from Danve and his suspension from the House.
Deputy Chairman Dr Neelam Gorhe, who was in the Chair, had to adjourn the House as tempers soared.
Before the House was called to order on Tuesday, Lad protested at the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan complex and demanded an apology.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday tabled a resolution seeking a suspension of Danve for five days, which was passed by majority.
Dr Gorhe read the suspension order which said: “Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve demonstrated indiscipline and used foul and abusive language towards legislator Prasad Lad.”
She went on to add that she herself was on the Chair and several lady members were present.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi legislators demanded a discussion. However, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: "In the past whenever such resolutions have been tabled, it has been put to vote and there are no discussions".
Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Anil Parab demanded that Danve be given an opportunity to present his side, but the demand was not accepted. The opposition later staged a walkout to protest the decision and shouted slogans against Gorhe.
Later, while speaking to newspapers, former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who is a member of the Council, said: "I apologise to my mothers and sisters".
However, he went on to add that the decision was "undemocratic". "Danve should have been given an opportunity to present his side of the story. But it was not allowed. No one was allowed to speak or discuss the issue. This would be the first time in history that without discussion and in a pre-decided manner an Opposition leader is suspended with a vendetta", Thackeray said, adding that the people of Maharashtra are observing this.