Now, Independent member alleges death threats

It read, "I want to bring it to your notice that I have been receiving threatening phone calls at my residence. I am an Independent member and I am not related to the Shiv Sena inany way. However, in a column named Rokhthok which appeared in Utsav, the Sunday supplement of the daily Saamna dated July 26, 1998, provocative language has been used against me. The column also carries an appeal to finish my life. If anything wrong happens to me or my family members, the alliance government will be entirely responsible for the same."

Chairman Pharande said he had taken note of the letter and directed the state government to immediately provide security to Rathod. More said the government would provide the security cover "but the leader of the Opposition should tell us the whereabouts of Rathod." This triggered a series of heated arguments in the House. Said Bhujbal, "If the government assures me that no harm will be done to Rathod, then I will reveal his whereabouts." While, members of the Shiv Sena demanded that Rathod recount the situation himself.

Pharande intervened to say that the members should "not use such language" and that sentences containing "ifs andbuts" would be expunged from the proceedings.

Before the chairman could proceed with the business on the agenda, Shiv Sena member Shishir Shinde raised a point of propriety. "It has been observed since the last few days that such letters are reaching certain leaders. Is there any conspiracy being hatched by the Congress party?" Shinde asked.

This provoked Congress members who demanded that his statements be expunged from the proceedings. The chairman told Shinde that the government had accepted Rathod’s demand. "But do not ask the government to probe any conspiracy," he said, rejecting Shinde’s point of propriety.