Mumbai, March 24 The Maharashtra Legislative Council passed a motion on Tuesday recommending an apology from NCP (SP) leader Suryakant More for making objectionable remarks against Chairman Ram Shinde and members of the house, or he will face a seven-day jail term.
In another motion, an apology was also sought from journalists Ganesh Sonawane, Harshada Sonawane, and Amol Nandurkar and Ankush Gawde for making "baseless allegations" through the YouTube channel Satya Ladha, or they will face a five-day jail term.
BJP member Prasad Lad moved these motions in the legislative council.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also moved a motion, stating that More had made objectionable remarks against council Chairman Shinde, current and former members, and created a hostile and mocking atmosphere against the Upper House.
The privilege committee had recommended a 30-day jail term, Fadnavis said.
"The privilege committee recommended stringent punishment, and given More's conduct, even the recommended punishment was appropriate. However, a conscious decision was made to award a seven-day jail sentence," Fadnavis stated.
The intention of the house was not to punish anyone, but to maintain its sanctity through the imposed punishment, he asserted.
In the motion against journalists, Fadnavis said that scribes Sonawane, Sonawane, Nandurkar, and Gawde published fake news on Satya Ladha and other TV channels.
"They made baseless allegations against MLC Amol Mitkari to damage his social and political image and spread misunderstanding among people," Fadnavis said.
He said that Satish Deshmukh, the editor of Satya Ladha, has already issued an apology, which has been accepted by Mitkari.