Maharashtra: NCP boycotts session over Godse issue

After the Opposition Congress and NCP demanded discussion on the issue by adjourning the day’s proceedings in the Assembly, CM Devendra Fadnavis said action would be taken in such cases.

The row over the birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse in Panvel led to disruption in the state Assembly on Friday, followed by the suspension of an NCP legislator and a boycott of the remaining session’s proceedings by the NCP, in protest.

After the Opposition Congress and NCP demanded discussion on the issue by adjourning the day’s proceedings in the Assembly, CM Devendra Fadnavis said action would be taken in such cases.

The Congress-NCP legislators of the Opposition demanded action against the function’s organisers. The issue led to three adjournments in the assembly. Then, NCP legislator Jitendra Awhad was suspended for making some objectionable remarks. Tabling the resolution, parliamentary affairs minister Girish Bapat said, “Awhad made objectionable remarks while he was sitting inside the house. As such, he is being suspended for the remaining duration of the ongoing session.”

NCP leader Ajit Pawar said the ruling side was taking an extreme step on the basis of majority, even though BJP members had gotten away with similar comments in the past. He announced the NCP would boycott the proceedings of the session in protest of the suspension.

The NCP-Congress legislators staged a walkout from the assembly.