Uproar in Maharashtra Assembly over Advocate General Shreehari Aney's demand for separate Marathwada state

Mumbai: Maharashtra Advocate General Shreehari Aney's demand for separate Marathwada state today led to ruckus in the state Assembly which was adjourned thrice as Congress-NCP and Shiv Sena raised slogans and demanded Aney's resignation.

"The government should sack Aney or else it will be construed that it is backing him," NCP MLA Dilip Walse Patil said.

Calling Aney "Owaisi in Maharashtra", Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik said, "What Aney is saying tantamounts to insult of martyrs who laid down their lives in the struggle for united Maharashtra." 

The House was adjourned thrice amid noisy scenes and sloganeering.

Aney, at an event in Jalna yesterday where he disbursed relief to families of farmers who committed suicide, said Marathwada bore more injustice than Vidarbha and should therefore be independent.

He also called people of Marathwada to start a movement for formation of a separate state.

Speaking outside the Assembly, State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said "Is Aney an agent for dividing the state?" 

Congress MLA Nitesh Rane also strongly condemned Aney's remarks.

Amidst the uproar, an Opposition member sought to know if the government will invoke 'sedition' charge against the Advocate General.

State Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse, while speaking in the Upper House, said the government is ready for a debate over the issue and that a decision on Aney's statement would be taken within an hour's time.

Panel Chairman Muzaffar Hussain, however, chose to adjourn the House for the day.

Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde, who had initially moved the adjournment motion, called for an immediate clarification by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the issue and demanded Aney's ouster.

"After batting for a separate statehood for Vidarbha, he now wants separate statehood for Marathwada. Tomorrow he will demand a separate Khandesh and then want Mumbai to be separated from the state," Munde said.