Speaker expunges Rane's allegations against Uddhav

Mumbai, Apr 18 (UNI) Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar expunged the allegations of corruption against Shiv Sena Working President Uddhav Thackeray levelled by Revenue Minister Narayan Rane in the Lower House earlier in the day.

The Speaker's ruling came late this evening at 1915 hrs when senior Sena member Datta Nalawade raised the issue through a point of propriety, while Mr Rane levelled charges in the House around 1330 hrs.

Mr Kupekar said he had gone through the proceedings where Mr Rane was speaking under rule 47 of the Legislative Assembly to clarify charges made against him by Leader of Opposition Ramdas Kadam in a land deal.

''Media should guard against publication of the allegations made against an individual (Thackeray) who is not member of the House'', the Speaker said in his ruling.

Earlier in the afternoon, after Mr Rane spoke against Mr Thackeray and senior Sena leader Subhash Desai, the Sena members had asked for expunging the charges. But, the Speaker had just said that he would go through the proceedings as he had not heard the comments because of noise.

Mr Desai, supporting Mr Nalawade's point of propriety, stated that Mr Rane had levelled allegations against him without giving proper notice and the Speaker said he had expunged references made to him also.

Mr Thackeray, while reacting to Mr Rane's charges, said that they were made to divert attention from Sena's charges against him.

UNI MR KD HS KN2122