Council rocked over tainted MLC’s expulsion

Mumbai: Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, chairman of the Upper House on Thursday ruled that the party group leaders would take a decision on the proposal of dismissing MLC Prashant Paricharak, who has the backing of the Bharitya Janata Party (BJP). Mr Paricharak had made a controversial statement against the wives of the soldiers who were posted at the border during an election campaign in 2017.

The Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislators were upset over the chairman’s opinion that the motion pertaining to the expulsion of Paricharak moved by the Shiv Sena was not sustained and the party group leaders would take a decision over it later. The decision led the Sena legislators to the well and the NCP and Congress were also supporting them.

Amidst this, Sena legislator Anil Parab moved a motion on Thursday for expulsion of Paricharak from the Upper House for his controversial statement.  

Mr Nimbalkar said, he thinks that Parab’s proposal cannot be accepted but the group leaders should take a decision over it.

Adjourning the House, Mr Nimbalkar left and transport minister Diwakar Raote vented out his anger over him. Sources said that Mr Raote had later met the chairman, Mr. Nimbalkar, in his chamber and sought an apology from him.

Speaking with the reporters at Vidhan Bhavan, leader of the Upper House and revenue minister Chandrakant Patil said that due to chaos in the house, the Opposition members couldn't understand what the chairman had read out over this issue, which led to confusion among the members and that the group leaders of all parties would take the decision regarding Mr Paricharak.