Maharashtra Legislative Council today admitted a breach of privilege motion against a Marathi news channel for allegedly airing an audio clip in which it was purportedly claimed that Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde had stalled a Calling Attention Motion in lieu of bribe.
Munde, an NCP leader, rubbished the accusations against him and alleged that it was a tactic adopted by the government to divert people's attention from "core issues" plaguing the state.
He said he was ready to face any probe against him but demanded that there should be an open inquiry into the allegations of corruption against the BJP ministers as well.
Minister for Education Vinod Tawde said the government had nothing to do with airing of the clip by the channel and that the Opposition should desist from making "baseless" allegations.
The breach of privilege motion was moved by Munde's party colleague Hemant Takale.
Council Chairman Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar, terming the incident as "sad", accepted the motion and referred it to the Upper House's Privileges Committee.
He asked it to submit its report by the end of the Budget session. The session ends on March 29.
The channel yesterday ran audio clips of some conversation between individuals who allegedly mentioned the name of Munde.
According to Takale, the channel allegedly violated the sanctity of the House by running the clip.
The issue was raised in the House by BJP member Pravin Darekar who said the audio clip has raised questions on the sanctity of the Legislative Council and that such reports shake the confidence of people on the Legislature.
"There should be a judicial inquiry and facts should be ascertained," Darekar said.
Bhai Girkar (BJP) then demanded an inquiry by a sitting judge.
Shiv Sena member Anil Parab said the clip has raised questions on the integrity of its members and that a "third party" should not be allowed to decide the fate of its members.
"A Calling Attention motion cannot be tampered with by anybody until there are directions from the Chairman. By raising questions, the news channel has raised a big question mark on our existence," he said.
Leader of the House and Revenue minister Chandrakant Patil, in a taunt at the Congress and the NCP, said since they have been stung today by the news report, which it claimed was not backed with proofs, the Opposition should also desist from making allegations against the ministers without evidence as it spoil decades of hard work.
Congress legislator Sharad Ranpise then claimed it was a deliberate attempt by the government to defame Munde, who spoke aggressively on its policies and prevailing corruption.
Continuing his tirade, Ranpise said a breach of privilege motion should be moved against the news channel, its owners, editors and others concerned with the news report, so that "a lesson could be taught to industrialists".
Sena member Neelam Gorhe said the news channel, instead of running a disclaimer that the clip has not been verified, should have ascertained facts with the help of forensic and cyber experts.
NCP member Amarsinh Pandit said despite the news channel running the report for hours, it did not bother to air Munde's stand over the issue.
"Dhananjay Munde then had to call up the channel and ask them to air his stand as well. This is shameful," he said.
NCP MLC Sunil Tatkare, lauding Munde's aggressive stand against the government, said he is a leader, who has been accepted by people and that the party and people will firmly back him over the issue.
"We do not have any problem with any kind of inquiry on Dhananjay. However, like others, this should not be fixed. We are proud that a person like him, loved by the masses, is in our party," Tatkare said.
Refuting the allegations, Munde said he was time and again following up on the issue, for which a Calling Attention motion was first filed in 2016.
"In the last three years, the manner in which I have been talking about your (government's) policies on farmers, Dalits, etc has made you (government) shaky. Thus, you do not want me to be here. Had I given any false proof about the corruption charges made against your ministers, you would have sent me to jail," he said.
The Council Chairman said he had never heard of such an episode in the history of the state.
"The workings of Maharashtra legislature is considered to be the best in the country and other states come here to witness our style of functioning. Allegations against Munde are one part of the episode. But the question mark on the Legislature is dangerous, which will shake the confidence of people on democracy and Legislature," he said.
Nimbalkar then asked for a privilege motion to be tabled. "We will take a decision on this issue before the session ends," Nimbalkar said.
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