Maharashtra balances criticism with probe on Sena MPs’ issues

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the home ministry must initiate action.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said Wednesday he has ordered a probe into the issues raised by the Sena MPs. “The Chief Minister has taken serious cognisance of the issues raised by MPs on the facilities and services at Maharashtra Sadan. The chief secretary has been asked to probe into these complaints,” a release issued from the Chief Minister’s office stated.

The objective seems to be to ensure the incident does not raise communal passions, particularly ahead of elections. Chavan, however, said the behaviour of the Shiv Sena MPs was not proper.

“The aggressive behaviour of some Sena MPs against the manager is not proper. They should behave in accordance with the decorum required of their position,” Chavan said in the statement. The statement added he had spoken to Maharashtra Sadan Resident Commissioner Bipin Mallick.

The incident dominated a state cabinet meeting Wednesday. Minorities Development Minister Naseem Khan demanded action against the MPs for “goondaism”.

The State Minorities Commission too has taken it up with the chief minister. Chairman Munaf Hakeem has said that the incident looked like a deliberate attempt to hurt religious feelings and asked the CM to investigate the matter and take action against the MPs. He has also written to the resident commissioner of Maharashtra for a report.

Sena MP Sanjay Raut, one in the group of 11, said, “We had raised the issue of corruption in the Maharashtra Sadan. This controversy has been given a communal overtone to ensure that the issues that we raised get lost in the cacophony.”

State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant demanded the MPs’ Lok Sabha membership be withdrawn. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the home ministry must initiate action.

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