Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Ambadas Danve suspended for 5 days

Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Ambadas Danve of Shiv Sena (UBT) addresses reporters on July 2, 2024 | Image Source: X/@ShivsenaUBTComm

The Maharashtra Legislative Council on July 2 suspended Opposition leader and Shiv Sena Party (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve for five days for using foul language in the House of Representatives.

Mr Danve was accused of using abusive language against BJP legislator Prasad Lad during a discussion in the Council on July 1 evening. Mr Lad had sought a resolution condemning MP Rahul Gandhi’s remarks that he was “not a Hindu” in the Lok Sabha, which drew a sharp response from the Sena (UBT) leader.

Following the incident, the council meeting was adjourned three times as BJP members strongly demanded action against Mr Danve.

On July 2, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil moved a motion seeking his suspension, which was passed by a majority vote.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Neelam Gorhe read out the suspension order, which stated: “Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve showed indiscipline and used vulgar and abusive language against legislator Prasad Lada.

“His conduct has tarnished the image and insulted the Council. If his misconduct is ignored, it may create a new precedent. His misconduct is taken serious note of and the House proposes to suspend him for five days and ban him from entering the Vidhan Bhavan premises,” it added.

Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Anil Parab demanded that Mr Danve be given an opportunity to present his side, but the demand was not accepted. The opposition later staged a strike to protest the decision and shouted slogans against Ms Gorhe.

‘Unilateral Decision and Planned Conspiracy’: Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said the decision to suspend Mr Danve was unilateral and a planned conspiracy.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Thackeray said Mr Danve was not given an opportunity to present his position before he was suspended.

Mr. Thackeray said that as the leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), he would apologise for Mr. Danve’s remarks if they had hurt women. However, he asked what action was being taken against BJP and Shiv Sena leaders for making such comments before the House.

“There was a need to discuss the resolution (to suspend Danve), but there was no discussion on it,” he said.

He said the suspension was done to overshadow his party’s victory in the Legislative Council elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates Anil Parab and Jagannath Abhyankar won from Mumbai Graduates and Teachers constituencies, respectively.

“The conspiracy (to suspend Mr Danve) was a planned conspiracy,” Mr Thackeray said.

“Everything you (government) do is democracy and what we (opposition) do is a crime,” he added, criticizing the government.

He added that the suspension occurred when the opposition began to analyze the state budget.