Maha MLCs seek permanent suspension of Paricharak over remarks on jawans

Mumbai: The members of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, cutting across party lines, today demanded "permanent suspension" of the BJP MLC Prashant Paricharak for his controversial remarks on soldiers. Raising the issue on the first day of the Budget session of the legislature, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde (NCP) cited a "precedent", saying Rajya Sabha had suspended some members in the past for making intemperate remarks.

Joining the debate, Congress' Ashok alias Bhai Jagtap said Paricharak, an Independent MLC backed by the BJP, had used "derogatory remarks" about wives of soldiers. "Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should take a note and move a motion to suspend Paricharak," Munde said. Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe said Paricharak's remarks had "hurt" all women members and made them hang their heads in shame. Munde said, "Unless the CM moves a motion to permanently suspend Paricharak, the opposition would not let transact any business in the Council."

Promising strict action, the Council Chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar said he would have to study the rules and previous precedents and have to discuss the matter with the CM before arriving at any decision in this regard. He said a meeting of the group leaders of the Upper House would be held tomorrow. The Leader of the House and Cooperation Minister Chandrakant Patil (BJP) said no one was supporting the remarks made by Paricharak. He agreed to the Chair's ruling for holding a meeting of the group leaders. Addressing a rally in Solapur in run-up to the local bodies elections last month, Paricharak had said, "A soldier gets a telegram from his wife that she has delivered a baby and he distributes sweets to his colleagues on the border, though he has not visited him home for a whole year."

He made the remarks while trying to take a dig at the NCP leaders for seeking credit for getting water supply from Ujani dam in Solapur district. Following an uproar after the clip of the video went viral, Paricharak expressed regret over his choice of words and said he only wanted to highlight the credit-seeking by the NCP leaders and had had no intention to hurt sentiments of jawans and their wives.