Zeenews Bureau
Mumbai: Following suspension of its four newly elected MLAs, who attacked Samajwadi Party’s Abu Azmi for taking the oath of office and secrecy in Hindi, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is reportedly mulling over tendering an apology –not to Azmi but to the house for acting in abeyance to the code of conduct.
As per report, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray has asked his MLAs to express regret to the Assembly
Confirming the development MNS leader Atul Sarpotdar said, “We will apologise in the Assembly as it was not our intention to malign the image of the House. However, there is no question of apologising to Azmi."
"The whole controversy started because of one person - Abu Asim Azmi. It was not our intention to lower the dignity of the House. What happened was a spontaneous reaction by our MLAs," Sarpotdar said.
"MNS group leader in Assembly, Bala Nandgaonkar, will speak to Raj Thackeray today on the issue of tendering an apology for Monday's incident and would, during the course of the day, apologise to the House," Sarpotdar stated.
By doing so, the MNS hopes, it can go around the four year suspension from the house as a constitutional provision can come to its rescue if the Speaker of the house so decides.
According to constitutional experts, the suspension of MLAs can be revoked if MNS tenders an unconditional apology to the House. However, this is likely to upset SP leader Abu Azmi, who has demanded that Raj Thackeray be arrested for the assault.
He pointed out that since MNS chief Raj Thackeray had "instigated and inspired" the attacks, he should be held responsible for the actions of his party legislators and be arrested immediately.
MNS MLAs Ramdas Kadam, Shishir Shinde, Ramesh Vanjale and Vasant Geete were suspended by the Pro-tem Speaker of the House Ganpatrao Deshmukh for four years for assaulting Azmi.
The MNS legislators were suspended after Maharashtra Minister Harshvardhan Patil presented the breach of privilege motion against the four main accused.
The shameful incident had created a political storm in the state of Maharashtra with several political parties demanding stringent action against the alleged ‘goondaraj’ of Raj Thackrey-led MNS.
The SP leader was attacked on the first day of the state Assembly’s inaugural session post the election of the new government, when MNS MLA Ramesh Banjle snatched the mike as SP legislator Azmi when the latter taking the oath in Hindi.
The tussle did not end there with other MNS legislators joining in and shouting slogans against Azmi. Ram Kadam and Shishir Kunde even exchanged blows with Azmi, with Kadam seen live on television slapping and hitting him on the chest and shoulders.
Marshalls had to be called in to control the situation as Protem Speaker Ganpatrao Deshmukh and legislators of other parties failed to defuse the situation.
Meanwhile, the House convened today but was shortly adjourned following a ruckus created by Shiv Sena MLAs demanding Abu Azmi’s arrest for making insulting remarks against Bala Saheb Thackeray.
Speaker orders inquiry into Azmi's behaviour
An inquiry has been ordered into the "behaviour" of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi in the Maharashtra Assembly and its premises by the protem Speaker.
Protem Speaker Ganpatrao Deshmukh made the announcement following repeated demands by Opposition members, who alleged Azmi had made provocative speeches and insulted Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray.
"A detailed inquiry of the matter would be conducted by Principal Secretary of the House as demanded by the Opposition parties and the report would be submitted to the Speaker of the House," Deshmukh said.
Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse had said that Azmi's misbehaviour in the House should be taken into consideration and action taken against him.
Deshmukh said the Government would also probe the allegation by the Opposition parties that Azmi was inciting people outside the House.
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said the Government would not condone behaviour that was unbecoming of any member and which would malign the image of the House, within and outside and action would be taken against that member.
Bureau Report