Maharashtra SP MLA Abu Azmi To File Defamation Case Against Dy CM Eknath Shinde

The development comes after Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, while condemning Abu Azmi’s remarks on Aurangzeb, said that the SP MLA should be charged for 'treason'.

File photo of SP MLA Abu Azmi.

Source : PTI

Maharashtra Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi will file a defamation case against Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The development comes after Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, while condemning Azmi’s remarks on Aurangzeb, called it "wrong and unacceptable". Shinde added that he deserves to be charged for "treason".

"His statement is wrong and should be condemned. Aurangzeb tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj for 40 days; calling such a person good is the biggest sin. Hence, Abu Azmi should apologise. Our CM has taken this matter seriously. He should be charged with treason," Shinde said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while speaking in the legislative council, said that the Samajwadi Party MLA will be 100 per cent put in jail.

Abu Azmi has triggered a political row in Maharashtra after defending Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, stating that he was "not a cruel ruler." 

He 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)," the SP MLA claimed.

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 filing of treason charges.