5 MLAs suspended from Maharashtra assembly

Four more Shiv Sena legislators were on Thursday suspended from the Maharashtra assembly for a year for creating ruckus in the House. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Patil said they insulted the Constitution during their noisy protests and moved a resolution to suspend them for a year.

The resolution was approved by a voice vote amid pandemonium, leading to the Speaker adjourning the House for the day. Those suspended on Thursday include Abhijit Adsul, Ravindra Waikar, Ashish Jaiswal and Sharad Patil.

Sena Member of Legislative Assembly Sanjay Rathod was on Wednesday suspended after he picked up the silver mace from the Speaker's table on the opening day of winter session of the Legislature.

Rathod said he wanted to raise the issue of farmers' plight, including farmers' suicides and compensation for loss of crop due to unseasonal rains.

"I did what I did as I was not allowed to raise the issue in the House. I was not allowed to speak," Rathod said.

Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Eknath Khadse said the opposition won't allow the House to function till the Maharashtra government takes up issues like compensation to farmers.