Sanjay Raut’s breach of privilege motion on ‘chormandal’ remark referred to vice president

Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe said Sanjay Raut’s response to the breach of privilege motion against him was “unsatisfactory” and referred the notice to the vice president for further action.

Shiv Sena leader MP Sanjay Raut. (PTI photo)

By Mustafa Shaikh: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut’s breach of privilege notice was referred to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar by Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe. The privilege motion was moved against Sanjay Raut in the Maharashtra Assembly for calling ‘vidhimandal‘ (legislature) a ‘chormandal‘ (body of thieves).

Earlier this month, the Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Council had directed the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader to submit a reply to the breach of privilege notice moved against him by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

However, Neelam Gorhe on Saturday said the Rajya Sabha MP’s response to it was “unsatisfactory”.

Speaking in the Council, Gorhe said Raut, in his response, had raised questions about the composition of the House’s privilege committee, its impartiality and functioning.

“Being a senior member of Rajya Sabha, it is not expected that he (Raut) raises questions about the functioning of the privilege committee. So I do not completely agree with his response and I don’t find it satisfactory. Therefore, I am referring the breach of privilege notice to Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President for appropriate action,” she said.

WHAT IS THE ROW?

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut stoked a controversy after labelling the ruling Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction as fake and a ‘chor mandali’ (gang of thieves).

“There is a fake Shiv Sena in the legislature, it’s a gang of thieves,” Raut had said during a tour of Kolhapur for the ‘Shivgarjana’ and ‘ShivSamvad’ initiatives.

Sanjay Raut’s statement drew massive criticism, upsetting lawmakers across party lines. His remarks also disrupted proceedings in the Maharashtra Assembly earlier this month. A privilege motion was filed against Raut and the Assembly Speaker formed a committee to probe the alleged derogatory statement made by Sanjay Raut against the legislative assembly.

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