MLA slapping cop most disrespectful, will write to Devendra Fadnavis if action not taken: Nationalist Congress Party working president Supriya Sule

Nationalist Congress Party working president Supriya Sule. File Photo/PTI

Nationalist Congress Party working president Supriya Sule Sunday said she will write to Maharashtra home minister Devendra Fadnavis if no action is taken against the Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker who slapped an on-duty policeman. She said the incident was "most disrespectful".

The Baramati Lok Sabha constituency MP said, "I thought the BJP was a party that respected people. Are they compromising over this issue? Will they tolerate violence against their colleagues?"

BJP's Sunil Kamble, the legislator from Pune Cantonment constituency, on Friday allegedly hit an on-duty constable at the city's Sassoon General Hospital, where he had gone to attend an event. Later, a case was registered against Kamble on a complaint by the policeman.

"I request home minister Devendra Fadnavis to act upon it and if action isn't taken, I'll write a letter to him," said Sule.

With parties gearing up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Nationalist Congress Party working president said she had no objection to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks over seats. The Sharad Pawar group of the NCP, of which Sule is a member, and Congress are allies in Maharashtra.

Kharge had said on Saturday that the Congress was working on all the 545 Lok Sabha constituencies and had appointed observers for all the seats. However, which party would contest which seat and how many would be decided after consultations with all constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc, he had said.

"Every party wants to contest on every seat. It's democracy and everyone wants to test their strength. I do not have any objections (to what Kharge said)," said Sule.

Asked about the recent assault on an ED team in West Bengal, which has triggered a political uproar, Sule said, "Enforcement Directorate is an independent body and what happened in West Bengal is the sentiment of the people. It's unfortunate that the agency is being used against opponents."

Supporters of a Trinamool Congress leader attacked ED officials on Friday after the latter executed a raid on the residence of the politician in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.

While the BJP, which is in the opposition in Bengal, termed the incident a direct assault on the federal structure, its rivals have been accusing the Narendra Modi government at the Centre of weaponising agencies, including ED, to target opponents. (With inputs from PTI)