Nagpur: The ‘live’ drama that is occasionally played outside the House in front of the media touched a new low today when BJP, MLA from Dhulia, Anil Gote accused Abu Azmi of SP of being a ‘traitor’ against whom strict action should be taken. He made the accusation after Abu Azmi defended Zakir Naik’s IRF – Islamic Research Foundation – in the House and said government had been hasty in banning this organization which is respected in many Islamic nations like Saudi Arabia.
“IRF has no proven connections with SIMI or any other terrorist organization, remove their ban” urged Abu Azmi in the House.
This provoked an angry reaction from some in the BJP quarters and Dhule MLA Anil Gote came out and complained to the media that strict action should be taken against ‘some MLAs’ who are supporting terrorists.
“Why should we not consider Abu Azmi himself a traitor for such a speech?” said Gote.
Soon Abu Azmi also came to the spot and began arguing angrily with Gote. They got into a verbal spat on the issue of Nationalism and treason which continued for a good ten minutes much to the amusement of onlookers.
Finally Anil Gote disengaged from the ‘debate’ and walked off leaving the ‘stage’ to Abu Azmi who continued his angry protest at allegations leveled against him.
It would be interesting to note here that Anil Gote who was formerly a journalist, had joined the Samajwadi Janta Party first and was embroiled in the Telgi counterfeit stamps scam. He spent 4 years in the Yerawada jail and was released on a surety of Rs. 10 lakhs and later joined the BJP.
