Congress MLAs' suspension a bid to muzzle opposition: Manikrao Thakre

MUMBAI: Suspension of five Congress legislators is a "political conspiracy" to "muzzle the opposition", said Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Manikrao Thakre said here today.

Thakre told reporters that the BJP-led Maharashtra government is in "minority" and is "conspiring" to ensure that it does not face problems during any future floor test.

Thakre said Legislative Council Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh and Legislative Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde were also with the Maharashtra Governor.

"Nothing happened to them. The allegation that our MLAs heckled the Governor and caused him injury is a lie," Thakre said.

He said Congress would go to the people to "expose" the "unconstitutional" government.

Five Congress MLAs were today suspended from Maharashtra Assembly for two years for causing injury to Governor C Vidyasagar Rao when they tried to block his entry into the House to address a joint sitting of the bicameral legislature.