Minister engages in verbal clash with Sena (UBT) MLC in House over 'traitor' jibe

Mumbai, Jul 10 (PTI) Maharashtra minister Shambhuraj Desai, who belongs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, had a heated exchange of words with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab in the legislative council on Thursday after the latter called him a "traitor".

Desai, who handles the tourism, mining and ex-servicemen welfare portfolios, told this to reporters on the premises of the Vidhan Bhavan, the state legislature complex here.

The confrontation occurred during a debate on providing legal protection for housing to Marathi-speaking people in Mumbai and its surrounding region.

"The discussion was about legal provisions to ensure housing for Marathi people. BJP MLC Chitra Wagh asked whether the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had made any such legal provision. I replied that no such step had been taken by that government," Desai told reporters.

The minister said his reply appeared to have provoked Parab.

"I had made a mention of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, of which I was also a part earlier. Parab pointed this out and called me a 'gaddar' (traitor). I responded in a similar language, and it led to a heated exchange," Desai said.

"Parab even warned me, saying he would deal with me outside the House. I accepted the challenge and told him I was ready to face him outside," he added.

Deputy chairperson of the council Neelam Gorhe then adjourned the House briefly and discussed the matter with both the legislators in her cabin, he said.

"She said she would expunge these remarks from the official records, but the proceedings of the House later resumed," Desai said.

Leaders of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) have been targeting members of the ruling Shiv Sena by calling them traitors for siding with Eknath Shinde during his rebellion, which led to a split in the Shiv Sena in June 2022. PTI ND NP