Congress MLA Paresh Dhanani was today suspended from Gujarat Legislative Assembly for the remaining period of the ongoing budget session for showing disrespect towards Speaker Ramanlal Vora.
This is the second time that Dhanani, who represents Amreli seat, has been suspended from the ongoing session that would end on March 31.
Members of the opposition and ruling BJP were today engaged in a verbal duel when Congress MLA Chandrikaben Bariya sought government's reply on the alleged gangrape of two teenage sisters in Dahod district last week.
Bariya, who represents Garbada seat in Dahod district, termed the incident as "shameful" in which two minor sisters were raped by some men in front of their father in a moving vehicle in Devgadh Bariya taluka of the district on March 15.
She alleged that the incident took place under the nose of the "rapist" BJP government, which led to a ruckus in the House, after which Vora asked her not to speak further.
The Speaker's order angered Dhanani, who questioned Vora's decision and asked him to allow Bariya to complete her representation. He even shouted at Vora saying members must be allowed to speak freely in this "temple of democracy".
In his reply, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja told the House that five key accused in the gangrape case were arrested the very next day of the incident, while eight others were held over the next three days.
Two Congress MLAs from Dahod, Gendal Damor and Vajesingh Panad, alleged that BJP members were involved in the gangrape. Replying to the charge, Jadeja said the key accused Kumtabhai was not a BJP worker. The minister then threatened to reveal the "ugly secrets" of the Congress members.
As chaos reigned, Leader of Opposition Shankersinh Vaghela said they would boycott the proceedings for five minutes and walked out of the House with fellow Congress MLAs to register their protest.
While going out, Dhanani once again confronted Vora and made some remarks while passing from near his chair.
After the opposition members left, Parliamentary and Legislative Affairs Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama objected to Dhanani's behaviour and urged the Speaker to punish him.
"You had shown a big heart and revoked his suspension earlier. But, I think that Paresh Dhanani was not worth your forgiveness. Today, he made remarks against you. We should not allow it. I propose that he should be given punishment for his behaviour," Chudasama said.
Vora agreed to the proposal of the Treasury benches and suspended Dhanani for the rest of the session.
On February 23, Dhanani and another Congress MLA Baldevji Thakor were suspended for the rest of the session for allegedly misbehaving and trying to attack some ministers and BJP MLAs. However, their suspension was revoked on March 9.
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