MLA attempts immolation in House

Shiv Sena MLA Gulabrao Gawande today created a commotion in the Maharashtra Assembly by pouring kerosene on his clothes and trying to consume a poisonous substance.

He did this in protest against what he called the state government8217;s 8216;8216;apathy8217;8217; to a spate of suicides by debt-ridden farmers.

Gawande, who represents Akola constituency, entered the well of the House when leader of the Opposition in the Lower House Ramdas Kadam was demanding suspension of Question Hour and taking up discussions on farmers8217; suicides.

Gawande poured kerosene on his clothes and tried to consume a poisonous substance but was stopped by other members. Gawande was taken out of the House by two Sena members after the two bottles, one containing kerosene and the other the poisonous substance, were snatched away from him. After another 30 minutes of adjournment, the Speaker allowed tabling of starred questions. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Harshwardhan Patil moved a few bills.