MLAs feel suspension too harsh

Mumbai, Apr 2 (UNI) Legislators, cutting across party lines, while agreeing that hurling books at the Speaker was wrong, however, felt that a year's suspension slapped as punishment on six MLAs was too harsh and should be reviewed.

Leader of the Opposition Ramdas Kadam wanted to know under which law the legislators had been suspended. He urged Deputy Speaker Pramod Shende to see the video footage of the incident and then take necessary action.

Eknath Khadse and Gopinath Munde of the BJP also echoed similar views. Raju Rajale of the Congress admitted he was one of those who had rushed to the well of the House as ministers had failed to give detailed replies to queries.

''I do not support the incident (hurling of books). But, since the last two to three weeks, we have not been allowd to speak on issues like the Employment Guarantee Scheme, and other bills. The position of the Treasury Bench legislators is very tricky. We belong neither here nor there (Na ghar ka, na ghat ka),'' he remarked.

''I urge that the suspension decision be reviewed,'' Mr Rajale said.

Nana Patole (Cong), Narsaiah Adam (CPM) and Gulabrao Patil (Shiv Sena) also expressed similar views.

Seniormost MLA Ganpatrao Deshmukh proposed that a meeting should be held on the issue in presence of all the group leaders and Chief Minister and the matter should be sorted out.

Deputy Speaker Pramod Shende recalled that in 1964, Jambuvantrao Dhote had hurled a paper-weight at the Speaker. He said hurling books at the Speaker was definitely wrong. The matter would be sorted out by holding a discussion, he added.

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