Maharashtra Council Sees Heated Exchanges, Multiple Adjournments
A controversial comparison made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab, likening himself to the revered Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, sparked uproarious scenes in the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Friday. Parab's statement drew sharp criticism from legislators of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, who demanded an immediate apology from him.
The proceedings in the council witnessed repeated disruptions and were adjourned three times due to the noisy exchanges.
BJP and Sena (UBT) Clash Over Parab’s Remarks
As the session commenced, BJP Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Pravin Darekar immediately raised objections, accusing Anil Parab of disrespecting the legacy of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj through his remarks delivered a day earlier. Members of the treasury benches stormed the well of the House, intensifying the chaos and further disrupting the proceedings.
Joining the criticism, Maharashtra Ports and Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane aggressively rebuked Parab, saying that a mere "clerk" should not dare to compare himself to Chhatrapati Sambhaji. This remark triggered heated arguments between Rane and Parab, leading to further disruptions in the council.
This aggressive response from the Mahayuti members follows closely on the heels of Thursday's controversy when the opposition had targeted the government over statements made by RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi regarding Marathi.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Expresses Regret, Parab Defends his Statement
Responding to the intense backlash, Ambadas Danve, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Council from Shiv Sena (UBT), stepped in to express regret over Parab's statement. He conveyed that the party would regret any inadvertent hurt caused by the remarks.
Despite Chairman Ram Shinde informing the agitated members about Danve’s expression of regret, the treasury benches refused to back down, continuing their demands for a formal apology.
Anil Parab, clarifying his earlier comments, stated that his remarks were misunderstood. He explained that his comparison was specifically regarding the hardships faced by Chhatrapati Sambhaji, who was tortured to change his religion. Parab claimed he, too, was undergoing similar political pressures to switch his party allegiance.
In his defence, Parab highlighted another controversy involving BJP MLC Shrikant Bharatiya, who had named his dog "Shambhu," asserting that Bharatiya should also be compelled to apologize. Parab further revealed a tweet by Bharatiya, in which he had previously apologized for this incident.
Resolution Reached after Intervention by Chandrakant Patil
The heated debate was finally defused after Chandrakant Patil, Maharashtra’s Higher and Technical Education Minister, intervened to calm the situation. He suggested that since Ambadas Danve had already expressed regret, the matter should be considered closed. This intervention ultimately led to the resolution of the issue, restoring order in the council.
