Maharashtra Minister Calls for Disqualification of BJP MLA Mehta
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik demands action against BJP MLA Narendra Mehta for alleged misconduct during a municipal incident.
Minister Sarnaik has formally requested the Governor to revoke Mehta's membership.
The incident involved a midnight siege of a municipal commissioner's residence.
Sarnaik emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the events.
In a significant political move, Maharashtra's Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has urged Governor Jishnu Dev Varma to disqualify BJP MLA Narendra Mehta, citing severe misconduct. This request comes amid allegations of a midnight siege at the residence of Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Radhabinod Sharma, where Mehta and a group of corporators reportedly intimidated the official and his family.
The incident occurred in the early hours of October 16, when a mob, led by Mehta and supported by numerous corporators, surrounded the commissioner's home. Sarnaik's letter details that the commissioner was at home with his wife and children when the situation escalated, leading to fears for their safety. This act of intimidation is described as an attempt to coerce the commissioner into filing false charges against journalists and activists.
Sarnaik's communication has been sent to key state officials, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. He expressed concern over the breakdown of law and order, noting that Police Commissioner Niket Kaushik had to intervene personally to disperse the crowd. The minister criticized the police response time, suggesting that it could have endangered the lives of the commissioner and his family.
In his formal request, Sarnaik called for immediate disqualification of Mehta under the Representation of the People Act, citing gross misconduct. He also demanded that the corporators involved face disqualification under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act. Furthermore, he urged for strict legal action against the unruly mob and a transparent investigation by a special committee of the IAS Officers’ Association.
Looking ahead, Sarnaik's demands for accountability and transparency highlight the ongoing tensions within Maharashtra's political landscape, particularly between the Shiv Sena and BJP. The outcome of this situation could have significant implications for governance and public trust in the state's political institutions.
