The Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday suspended Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for the remainder of the Budget session over his remarks praising Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. He has been barred from entering the Assembly premises until the session concludes.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray reacted strongly to the suspension, saying, "He should be permanently suspended. The entire Maharashtra has raised objections against him."
Azmi apologised for his statement on March 5, saying his words had been misinterpreted. He also said he was willing to take back his remarks if they had hurt public sentiments.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke about Abu Azmi’s remarks in the UP Assembly Session. He said, “Remove that person from (Samajwadi) party and send him to UP, we will do his treatment. Does the person who feels ashamed about the heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, instead of taking pride and considering Aurangzeb as his idol, have the right to stay in our country? Samajwadi Party should answer this.”
He further asked why the Samajwadi Party is unable to control its leaders. He said, “On one hand, you keep blaming Maha Kumbh...on the other hand, you praise a person like Aurangzeb, who destroyed the temples of the country...why can't you control that MLA of yours? Why didn't you condemn his statement?”