Mumbai, Jul 18 (PTI) NCP MLC Amol Mitkari on Friday staged a sit-in protest at the entrance of the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan here after his personal assistant (PA) was denied entry into the complex on the last day of the monsoon session of the state legislature.
Calling the incident “shameful”, the legislator belonging to the Ajit Pawar-led party alleged discrimination, and said while those facing serious charges were allowed entry into the legislature complex earlier, his PA was stopped despite him carrying official documents.
The incident occurred a day after the supporters of NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar had an altercation inside the Vidhan Bhavan. A day prior to that, the two MLAs themselves had a heated exchange.
The opposition latched on to the episode to target the Mahayuti government, alleging that it was an example of lawlessness. They also questioned the security at the state legislature complex.
When Mitkari reached the legislature complex around 9.45 am, the security personnel did not allow his PA.
Talking to reporters later, Mitkari said his PA, who accompanies him daily to help with legislative council-related discussions, was suddenly barred from entering the building citing that he did not have a green entry pass.
Mitkari claimed his assistant’s yellow pass was declared invalid by the Vidhan Bhavan authorities following tightened security after Thursday’s scuffle between the supporters of Awhad and Padalkar.
“It is shameful that I, being a legislator from the ruling party, have to stage a protest seeking an access for my assistant into the Vidhan Bhavan. If I am facing this, then it would not be wrong to say that yesterday’s incident was not unjustified,” the MLC said.
Mitkari, who staged the protest for more than two hours, maintained that he would not enter the building without his assistant.
“My assistant carries official documents I require for legislative business, especially on the last day of the session. Yet he was stopped, while earlier, people facing serious charges under the MCOCA were freely allowed inside by the same authorities,” he said.
The MLC said, “I tried to reach the chairperson of the legislative council to resolve the matter but I could not speak to him.” Mitkari alleged discrimination, claiming that around 10 individuals close to a minister of state had entered the building without any issue, while legitimate aides of elected representatives were being obstructed.
“The administration has woken up suddenly, but only after yesterday’s incident. Legitimate entry is being blocked, while those with criminal records had easy access in the past,” he said.
Mitkari later ended the protest and went inside the Vidhan Bhavan to attend the proceedings of the House. PTI ND NP
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