It was a natural reaction, we could not control our emotions8217;

JULY 28: Thirteen Shiv Sena MLAs gave an entirely new dimension to the phrase outrageous behaviour' when they went on a destruction spree...

JULY 28: Thirteen Shiv Sena MLAs gave an entirely new dimension to the phrase outrageous behaviour8217; when they went on a destruction spree in the august precincts of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. They climbed on benches shouting slogans, attacked a marshal, dragged and damaged the Speaker8217;s table, smashed glass-panes of the recording room. Putting the House back in order costed Rs 3.5 lakh and a day. It was the first time that the Maharashtra Legislature was witnessing scenes that are characteristic of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Why did the representatives of the people behave in a manner that their electorate would be ashamed of? 8220;It was our natural reaction as the government arrested Balasaheb,8221; they chorus. As the drama went on in the Bhoiwada courtroom, Thackeray8217;s followers in the Assembly made sure that they created enough drama too. They were suspended 8212; six of them for six months and seven for a year. More reason their electorate should be worried.

However, none of them show even a trace of regret.

Taking serious cognisance of this, Governor Dr P C Alexander cancelled his monsoon sojourn in Pune and rushed back to Mumbai. He summoned Speaker Arun Gujrathi, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal to prepare a report for New Delhi. Opposition leaders Narayan Rane Shiv Sena and Gopinath Munde BJP pleaded that the suspension be revoked and even met the governor. But the House was firm about the punishment.

Newsline asked the offenders three questions: Why did you behave in that manner? Weren8217;t you aware of the House decorum and that you were sent here to represent the people? Do you justify or regret your behaviour? Of course, there was no remorse or regret. Their answers were idenitcal. Here are some of them.

Subhash Wankhede: The blame should be put on the government and not us. There was no way we could know the whereabouts of our supreme leader. Each and every Sena MLA was furious. What is the use of our legislatorship if we cannot prevent arrest of our leader?

Subhash Sabne: I am not concerned about the membership of the Assembly. I owe my rise in politics to Shiv Sena and Saheb. Further, the government8217;s action was pre-planned. They were waiting for a chance.

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Prakash Khadkar: Legislatorship is insignificant compared with the Shiv Sena Pramukh. My behaviour may be wrong as per the rules of the Assemly, but morally it was appropriate.

Suresh Salokhe: There is a limit to tolerating injustice. Shiv Sainiks like me cannot compromise on the security of Balasaheb. Besides, the government had cut off the telephone lines and cellular phones were down. We were totally unaware of what was happening outside. It was a natural reaction. We could not control our emotions.

Sitaram Bhoir:Saheb was arrested without any reason. We could not control our emotions when we were told about it. Personally, I don8217;t care even if they strip me off my legislatorship for protesting against Saheb8217;s arrest.

Ravindra Mane former minister: I was only shouting the slogans and did not participate in damaging the furniture in Assembly Hall. The government8217;s decision to arrest our leader was political. One may not justify it now, but our reaction was natural at that moment.