Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday for his recent controversial remarks praising Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
According to reports, the Maharashtra SP president's suspension comes during the state's ongoing budget session and he will remain suspended from the House till the end of the session.
State minister Chandrakant Patil on Wednesday moved the motion of suspension in the House.
Members of the treasury benches said Aurangzeb's praise amounted to insult of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
The motion of suspension was passed by a voice vote.
"Azmi's comments praising Aurangzeb and criticising Sambhaji Maharaj do not suit the stature of a member of the assembly and is an insult of the democratic institution of the legislative assembly," Patil said, as quoted by PTI.
Azmi, president of the Samajwadi Party's state unit, had said that during Aurangzeb's reign, India's border reached Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar).
"Our GDP accounted for 24 per cent (of the world GDP) and India was called a golden sparrow (during his regime)," claimed the MLA from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency in Mumbai.
Asked about the fight between Aurangzeb and Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Azmi had termed it a political battle.
His comments rocked both houses of the state legislature on Tuesday, with members of the ruling side demanding his suspension and that he be booked for treason.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Azmi said his statements were twisted.
"Whatever I have said about Aurangzeb is something that has been stated by historians and writers. I have not made any derogatory remarks against Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj or any national icons. Still, if anyone is hurt by my remarks, then I take back my statements and comments," he said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday assured that Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi would be suspended from the Assembly over his controversial remarks praising Aurangzeb and stated that "the people of Maharashtra will not forgive him."
