Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi has alleged threats to his life and family after being suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly for the entire duration of the ongoing budget session. The suspension was imposed following his remarks on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, which sparked controversy within the House.

Taking to social media platform X, Azmi called the decision “arbitrary” and accused the government of silencing elected representatives. He stated, “My suspension is arbitrary on the part of the government. There is a threat to my life and that of my family. Two laws are in force in Maharashtra. If democracy has ended in Maharashtra, then the government can do anything to the public and elected representatives.”

Azmi expresses disappointment over the decision

Prior to this, Azmi had expressed his disappointment over the suspension and mentioned that he was willing to withdraw his remarks for the smooth functioning of the Assembly. “To ensure that the House functions, I spoke about withdrawing my statement. I did not say anything wrong. Still, there is a controversy, and the proceedings of the House are being stalled,” he said.

He also clarified that his controversial remarks were made outside the Assembly and not during the House proceedings. Despite his attempts to clarify, the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker upheld the suspension.

Akhilesh Yadav comes out in support

Samajwadi Party Chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav condemned the suspension, calling it a violation of freedom of expression. “If the basis of suspension starts getting influenced by ideology, then what difference will there be between freedom of expression and subjection?” Yadav questioned.

He further added that such actions would not deter party leaders, stating, “If some people think that by ‘suspension’ one can rein them in, then this is the childishness of their negative thinking.”

Speaker justifies suspension over ‘objectionable’ remarks

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar announced the suspension of Abu Azmi on Wednesday, following a proposal introduced against him in the House. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil asserted that Azmi’s remarks had hurt the dignity of the Assembly, prompting the move.

Azmi had reportedly stated that Aurangzeb was not a “cruel administrator” and that he had “built many temples.” He also claimed that the conflict between Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was about state administration rather than a Hindu-Muslim issue.

The decision to suspend Azmi has triggered a political debate, with supporters questioning the fairness of the move while the ruling government defends it as necessary to uphold the decorum of the House.

Rajya Sabha MP and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha on Wednesday took a sharp dig at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, sarcastically referring to him as the “creator of the universe” and “Brahma.” Jha’s remarks came a day after Kumar engaged in a heated exchange in the Bihar Assembly, where he claimed credit for elevating RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav in the state’s politics.

During the Assembly session on Tuesday, Nitish Kumar had targeted Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the opposition and Lalu Prasad’s son, stating, “What was in Bihar before? I made your father. When he entered politics, there was nothing in Bihar at the time.” Kumar also claimed that even members of Lalu’s caste opposed his rise, but he supported him nonetheless. “Even people from your caste were asking me why I was doing this, but I still supported him,” Kumar said.

Responding to Kumar’s comments, Manoj Jha expressed concern over the Chief Minister’s tone and language. Speaking to ANI, Jha said, “I am worried about Nitish Kumar now. It is so unfortunate that he is using such language. You (Nitish Kumar) were in Lalu ji’s team, you were called Lalu ji’s man.”

Jha defended Tejashwi Yadav’s speech in the Assembly, stating that the RJD leader had presented a logical and comprehensive analysis of Bihar’s contemporary challenges and future prospects. “Yesterday, Tejashwi Yadav, without any bitterness, gave a historical analysis, contemporary challenges, and an outline of the future. He explained everything based on logic… You (Nitish Kumar) did not answer it… You are the creator of the universe, you are Brahma. If such thoughts are coming to your mind these days, then I am even more worried about you,” Jha added.

The RJD leader’s sarcastic remarks highlight the growing tension between the ruling Janata Dal (United) and the opposition RJD in Bihar. Earlier on Tuesday, Tejashwi Yadav had compared the governance of his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, with that of Nitish Kumar, criticizing the current administration’s policies and performance.

Tejashwi also slammed the budget presented by the Nitish Kumar government, accusing it of failing to address the state’s pressing issues. The RJD has consistently criticized the JD(U)-led government for its handling of unemployment, education, and healthcare, among other concerns.

The war of words between the two political heavyweights underscores the deepening rift in Bihar’s political landscape. As the state gears up for future elections, the verbal sparring between Nitish Kumar and the RJD leadership is likely to intensify, with both sides vying to assert their influence and credibility.

Manoj Jha’s jibe at Nitish Kumar as the “creator of the universe” reflects the RJD’s strategy to portray the Chief Minister as out of touch with reality, while Kumar’s claims about Lalu Prasad’s rise aim to reinforce his own political legacy. The ongoing political drama in Bihar continues to captivate the state’s electorate, setting the stage for a fierce electoral battle in the coming months.

Republican Party of India (A) chief Ramdas Athawale has extended an invitation to Akash Anand, the expelled nephew of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, to join his party. Athawale stated that if Anand is committed to carrying forward the mission of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, he would be welcomed into the Republican Party of India (RPI), which would further strengthen the party’s presence in Uttar Pradesh.

“If he (Akash Anand) wants to take forward the mission of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, he should join the Republican Party of India. If he joins the party, the Republican Party of India will get more strength in UP,” Athawale remarked.

Mayawati expels Akash Anand, calls his response ‘selfish and arrogant’

On Monday, Mayawati expelled Akash Anand from the BSP, stating that his reaction after being relieved from his duties was immature and self-centered. The BSP supremo accused him of being heavily influenced by his father-in-law, Ashok Siddharth, who was also ousted from the party.

“In the interest of the self-respect and self-esteem movement of the most revered Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and following the tradition of discipline of the venerable Kanshiram, Akash Anand, like his father-in-law, is expelled from the party in the interest of the party and the movement,” Mayawati posted on X.

She criticized Anand’s response as lacking political maturity and suggested that he should have gracefully accepted his removal.

Akash Anand stands firm despite expulsion

Despite his removal from all key positions, Akash Anand expressed his unwavering commitment to the ideals of the Bahujan Movement. He stated that his involvement in politics is not a mere career but a fight for the dignity and rights of marginalized communities.

Following his expulsion, Anand termed the decision an emotional one but reaffirmed his dedication to the cause. “The test is difficult,” he said, implying that he would continue his political journey despite the setback.

With Ramdas Athawale’s offer now on the table, the political future of Akash Anand remains uncertain, but his next move could significantly impact the Dalit political landscape in Uttar Pradesh.