Calling the incident "shameful", the legislator, who belongs to the Ajit Pawar-led party, alleged discrimination and said that while individuals facing serious charges had previously been granted entry into the legislature complex, his PA was stopped despite carrying official documents
When NCP MLC Amol Mitkari arrived at the legislature complex around 9.45 am, security personnel refused entry to his PA. PIC/X
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Amol Mitkari on Friday staged a sit-in protest at the entrance of the Vidhan Bhavan after his personal assistant (PA) was denied entry into the complex on the final day of the Maharashtra Monsoon Session 2025 of the legislature.
Calling the incident "shameful", the legislator, who belongs to the Ajit Pawar-led party, alleged discrimination and said that while individuals facing serious charges had previously been granted entry into the legislature complex, his PA was stopped despite carrying official documents, PTI reported.
The incident occurred a day after supporters of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) legislator Jitendra Awhad and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Gopichand Padalkar had an altercation inside the Vidhan Bhavan during the Maharashtra Monsoon Session 2025. A day prior, the two MLAs themselves had a heated exchange.
The opposition seized upon the episode to criticise the Mahayuti government and alleged that it was indicative of lawlessness. They also raised questions about the security arrangements at the state legislature complex.
When Mitkari arrived at the legislature complex around 9.45 am, security personnel refused entry to his PA.
Speaking to reporters later, Mitkari said his PA, who accompanied him daily to assist with legislative council-related discussions, was suddenly barred from entering the building on the grounds that he lacked a green entry pass.
Mitkari claimed that his assistant’s yellow pass was invalidated by Vidhan Bhavan authorities following tightened security measures 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 over 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 added, "I tried to reach the chairperson of the legislative council to resolve the matter but I could not speak to him."
Mitkari further alleged discrimination, claiming that around 10 individuals close to a minister of state had entered the building without any hindrance, 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 his protest and entered the Vidhan Bhavan to attend the proceedings of the House.
(With PTI inputs)
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