Mumbai, March 23 Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) member Anil Parab challenged the ruling Shiv Sena and NCP to step down from the Mahayuti government on Monday, following allegations by two BJP ally ministers that police personnel had manhandled them during the Satara Zilla Parishad (ZP) president election last week.
Raising the issue in the legislative council, Parab said such an incident had never occurred in Maharashtra’s politics, where ministers have been manhandled. If ministers can be "beaten up" during the Satara ZP president’s poll, what protection will the government offer to the common man? he asked.
Acknowledging the discord in the alliance, Shiv Sena minister Shambhuraj Desai said there have been bitter experiences like the one in Satara. These will be raised at an appropriate level and will also be rectified, he added.
The BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) headed by Sunetra Pawar share power in Maharashtra as part of the Mahayuti government.
During the Satara Zilla Parishad (ZP) president poll on Friday, BJP's Priya Shinde was elected to the post, defeating the Shiv Sena-NCP combine's candidate despite the latter having the majority. The BJP narrowly surpassed the Sena-NCP alliance’s tally to win the top post.
The police allegedly took away some Zilla Parishad members before the voting.
Shamburaj Desai and NCP minister Makarand Patil alleged that the local police manhandled them during the election and raised the issue in the House earlier in the day. Desai is the guardian minister of Satara.
Parab said the state witnessed a revolt against the then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray (in 2022) over the NCP allegedly giving step-motherly treatment to the (then undivided) Sena.
"The ministers are getting beaten up, but they (Sena and NCP) are scared to name the BJP. The police are beating you up, and you are staying mum. Where is your self-respect and rebellious streak?" he asked.
Even NCP (minister) has been beaten up, the MLC said, taking a dig at the BJP's alliance partners.
"You quit the alliance. The BJP is crushing you," Parab said in the House.
The ministers are seeking "protection" from the Chair. Should the ministers be seeking protection? he asked.
Earlier in the day, legislative council's deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe directed the state government to suspend Satara Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi over the ruckus and manhandling during the Zilla Parishad president election.
Referring to it, Parab said a few days ago, an IAS officer was suspended and had to be reinstated.
He claimed Gorhe misused her power by directing the government to suspend the Satara SP, and demanded that Council Chairman Ram Shinde allow a no-confidence motion to be brought against her.
Hitting back at Parab, Desai said it is a fact that as a minister, he sought "protection" of the House, but the Sena (UBT) should not think that the Shiv Sena is helpless.
"When we revolted, we were told (by Sena-UBT leaders) that we would not be allowed to come to Mumbai. But we came to Mumbai without fear. Do not needle us without any reason," he said, noting that the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance was formed for Hindutva.
