Shiv Sena MLAs on Friday boycotted the state Assembly in protest against the fact that no decision had been taken regarding revoking of the suspension of 13 Sena MLAs and a BJP MLA. The legislators were suspended on March 30 for causing a ruckus in the Lower House over the issue of a Ganesh idol being stolen from a Raigad temple.
After the question hour, Sena Group leader Subhash Desai asked what had happened to the promise made regarding reviewing the decision to suspend the MLAs, reduce the suspension term and reinstating them. The Sena MLAs were earlier seen sitting on the steps of Vidhan Bhavan. Leader of the Opposition Eknath Khadse said suspending the MLAs for such a long time was not right, and demanded that their suspension be revoked. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan also intervened, saying it was true that he met the suspended MLAs, and added that he would soon hold a discussion with group leaders of various parties on the issue.
In reply, Speaker Dilip Walse-Patil said before taking any decision, he would have to first ascertain what had transpired outside the House between the ruling party, the chief minister and the Opposition.
However, Sena MLAs insisted that the decision was supposed to be taken by this weekend and refused to participate in the business of the House. The Speaker then asked them to leave the House instead of disturbing everyone else. Subsequently, they got up and left.