The ruling Congress party, which shares power with Shiv Sena and NCP in Maharashtra, said on Thursday that it was considering bringing in a resolution proposing the sending back of Governor B S Koshyari for insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule in the ongoing budget session of the state legislature. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Nana Patole demanded that Koshyari apologise for insulting Shivaji Maharaj and Jyotiba Phule and Savitrimai, adding that the party was seeking legal opinion to move a resolution seeking the recall of Koshyari.
“Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has insulted the revered deity of Maharashtra, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, as well as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitrimai. Maharashtra worships these idols and will never tolerate their being insulted,’’ said Patole.
Patole said that the fact that Governor Koshyari left his address halfway did not befit a governor, adding that with such behaviour he had insulted the 12-crore people of Maharashtra. “Let’s chant slogans in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in every nook and corner of Maharashtra even if the governor or the BJP doesn’t like it. The Congress party condemns the statements made by Koshyari,” he declared.
When asked about BJP’s demand for NCP Minister Nawab Malik’s resignation, Patole said that the BJP had no right to demand the resignation of Nawab Malik. “Dozens of ministers in Devendra Fadnavis’s government were accused of several violations. How many ministers resigned at that time? Everyone was given a clean chit without any inquiry,’’ he said.
“The BJP and Devendra Fadnavis, who are accusing Nawab Malik of having links with Dawood Ibrahim are okay with funds donated to their party by the notorious goon Iqbal Mirchi. Is Iqbal Mirchi a relative of the BJP? ’’ he asked.
