Nagpur: The Chairman of State Legislative Council has expressed his strong displeasure over NCP member Prakash Gajbhiye entering the Vidhan Bhavan premises in Sambhaji Bhide-like costume on the first day of Monsoon Session that commenced on Wednesday. Gajbhiye also reached the Council in the same costume for participating in the House proceedings.
The Council was discussing over the condolence resolution following passing away of Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar. Name of Gajbhiye was also in the list of speakers. As soon as Gajbhiye stood up to speak, the Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar objected to his costume. “Dignity of the House should be maintained. It was proper to some extent when Gajbhiye met me in my chamber. But it is not appropriate to enter the House in such costume,” Nimbalkar said.
However, when the Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde urged the Chairman to allow Gajbhiye to speak, he accepted the request.
Notably, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and MLC Prakash Gajbhiye on Wednesday entered the Vidhan Bhavan with a demand to arrest Sambhaji Bhide in connection with Bhima-Koregaon violence case, albeit, in different style. Gajbhiye wore Sambhaji Bhide-like costume and carried a basket of mangoes with different messages scribbled on the fruit.
Bhide is accused of instigating the violence against Dalits during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in January. He has denied the allegation. The violence that occurred near the war memorial at Bhima-Koregaon in Pune district on 1 January triggered a sharp reaction from Dalit organisations.
