Sena killings finds echo in Parliament

Sena killings finds echo in Parliament
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, April 27: Shiv Sena members, agitated over the murder of their activist in Mumbai yesterday in the third such incident in eight days, forced adjournment of the Lok Sabha 45 minutes ahead of the lunch recess.

The Sena members demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Home Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and wanted Union Home Minister L K Advani to direct the State Government to take effective steps to stop the ``political murders''.

Raising the issue, party leader in the Lok Sabha Anant Gite alleged the State Government was supporting the gangsters in the ``conspiracy to finish Shiv Sena'' and the murders were part of such a plot.

They said Sena members were being targeted as the party, when in power, had taken drastic action against the gangs in Mumbai.

Gite, who was vociferously supported by several of his party colleagues including Mohan Rawale, Chandrakant Khaire and Bhavna Gavali, said the law and order situation had taken turn for the worse and the Congress-NCP Government had become a silent spectator.

Supporting the Sena members, who at one time threatened to storm the well of the House, BJP member Kirit Somaiyya expressed concern over the recurrent killings.

Assurance of Culture Minister Ananth Kumar that he shared the concern of members and would bring it to the notice of the Home Minister did not pacify the Sena members.

As Speaker G M C Balayogi failed to pacify the members, he adjourned the House for 45 minutes.

Congress member Vilas Muttemwar was seen protesting against the charges levelled by the Shiv Sena members against the Vilasrao Deshmukh Government.

The Shiv Sena members had sought to raise the issue soon after the House assembled for the day. However, they resumed their seats after the Speaker assured them that he would allow them to raise the issue during Zero Hour.