Three MNS legislators suspended from Maharashtra assembly

Nagpur, Dec 13 (IANS) Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Dilip Walse-Patil Tuesday suspended two Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) legislators for the day after they waved objectionable banners inside the house. Later, they apologized and the suspension was revoked.

The banners referred to business conglomerate Indiabulls allegedly donating Rs.2.50 crore ($470,000) to the Bhujbal Foundation run by state Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal.

The legislators, including MNS group leader Bala Nandgaonkar, Prakash Bhoir of Kalyan west constituency, and Nitin Bhosale of Nashik, also raised slogans demanding the minister's resignation.

When the speaker directed them not to disrupt the proceedings and withdraw the banner, they refused to comply, following which he announced their suspension for the day, and adjourned the house for an hour.

Later, the two legislators - Bhoir and Bhosale - apologized for their conduct and the suspension was revoked.

Bhujbal has been embroiled in a controversy over a Rs.2.5 crore donation to his foundation which organizes the annual Nashik Festival since the past three years.

Stoutly denying any wrongdoing, Bhujbal had clarified that besides 'Indiabulls', many other corporate and industrial houses donated to the foundation.

The amount was utilized for the Nashik festival and Bhujbal said it was wrong to link the donations to major infrastructure development contracts allotted to the company in the Nashik area.