Sena seeks Nitesh Rane's suspension for 'meowing' at Aaditya Thackeray

Rane's is alleged to have 'misbehaved' with Aaditya Thackeray by making 'meow' sounds at him

The issue of BJP legislator Nitesh Rane’s “meow…meow” taunt aimed at state’s Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray last week rocked the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Monday with the Shiv Sena demanding the former’s suspension.

Aaditya, the son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, however, has maintained a dignified silence on the issue.

Nitesh is the son of Union Heavy Industries Minister Narayan Rane, the bete noire of Thackeray.

Last Thursday, when Aaditya was entering the Vidhan Bhavan, Nitesh, who was at the stairs with other legislators, taunted him by making “meow” sounds. However, Thackeray ignored him and went inside.

On Monday, the lower House saw an adjournment of 10 minutes as Shiv Sena members demanded his suspension.

The junior Rane, was, however, not present in the House.

The issue was raised by Suhas Kande of Shiv Sena. "Aaditya Thackeray, being a dignified man, walked away ignoring Nitesh Rane. We will not tolerate insult of our leader," Kande pointed out.

Kande was supported by Shiv Sena MLAs Sunil Prabhu and Bhaskar Jadhav, and the latter demanded his permanent suspension.

Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis, however, opposed the demand of suspension. “Nitesh Rane has been reprimanded…but, suspending a member for an incident that had happened outside the House is not right," he said, adding that he does not support Rane for what he did.

State BJP President Chandrakant Patil asked why the incident which happened outside was being discussed in the House. "Did Nitesh Rane take any name?" he asked.

However, NCP leader and state Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said: “It is not just the issue of the House(s) but whatever happens in the Vidhan Bhavan complex comes under (the jurisdiction) of the Speaker (and Chairman),” he said.

However, the Presiding officer ruled that a meeting of all group leaders will be held on Tuesday to ensure such incidents do not take place again.

Last week also, the issue was raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Council by Manisha Kayande who had demanded an apology from Nitesh for his misbehaviour. After this, Deputy chairperson Dr Neelam Gorhe has asked the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry to inquire into the incident and report to the Council Chairman Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar.

(With agency inputs)

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