Making the announcement in the Lower House of the state legislature, Rahul Narwekar also stated that an ethics committee — empowered to disqualify members — would be constituted within a week
Speaker Rahul Narwekar said ministers will be prohibited from holding official meetings or meeting visitors within the legislature complex during the session. File pic
A day after the supporters of two legislators clashed within the Vidhan Bhavan premises, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Friday announced that visitors would not be permitted in the legislature complex during the Maharashtra Monsoon Session 2025. Only ministers, legislators, their personal secretaries, and officials will be granted access.
Making the announcement in the Lower House of the state legislature, Narwekar also stated that an ethics committee — empowered to disqualify members — would be constituted within a week.
On Thursday, supporters of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) legislator Jitendra Awhad and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Gopichand Padalkar clashed inside the Maharashtra legislature complex, just a day after a heated exchange between the two lawmakers.
The confrontation took place at 5.45 pm on the ground floor of the legislature building, Narwekar said, adding that he had requested a report from the Chief Security Officer of the Vidhan Bhavan.
"Visitors will not be allowed inside the Vidhan Bhavan during the session. Only ministers, legislators, their officially-designated personal secretaries and government officials will be allowed during that period," the Speaker informed.
Ministers will also be prohibited from holding official meetings or meeting visitors within the legislature complex during the Maharashtra Monsoon Session 2025. Such briefings and meetings must now be held at Mantralaya, the state secretariat, Narwekar added.
MLAs will be held accountable for the conduct of individuals accompanying them, he said.
Both Padalkar and Awhad expressed regret in the House regarding the altercation between their supporters.
Speaker Narwekar stated that Nitin Deshmukh and Sarjerao (Rishikesh) Takle — associates of Awhad and Padalkar, respectively — who were involved in the scuffle and detained by the legislature’s security personnel, would face breach of privilege proceedings.
Deshmukh identified himself as a supporter of Awhad, while Takle said he was a cousin of MLA Padalkar, Narwekar said.
Both individuals were arrested and criminal cases were filed against them, along with an additional six to seven unidentified persons. They entered the legislature complex accompanying the MLAs, but without authorised passes, the Speaker noted.
"The concerned MLAs will now be responsible for the conduct of persons accompanying them. It is their responsibility to maintain decorum of the legislature inside and outside," Narwekar stated.
The Speaker also announced the formation of an ethics committee modelled on the one in Parliament.
"The ethics committee is empowered to disqualify the members," he said, adding that it would be constituted within a week following consultation with Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde.
When the Speaker asked Awhad to express regret over the incident, the NCP (SP) MLA responded that the concerned individual had not entered the Assembly complex with him. Awhad also claimed he had received abusive messages on his phone.
When the MLA was urged by the Chair to remain focused on the issue at hand, Jayant Patil (NCP-SP) interjected, saying Awhad should be allowed to speak.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis weighed in, stating that the dignity of every member in the House was at stake and that public perception of legislators was deteriorating.
"People are saying all MLAs have become arrogant," he remarked.
(With PTI inputs)
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