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Government decision on Shreehari Aney's removal likely today

Speaking at a function organised by the Marathwada Mukti Morcha in Jalna on Sunday, Aney had said: "Along with the creation of a state of Vidarbha, the creation of a state of Marathwada must also be considered... as a just demand and thought must be given for the necessary steps to be taken."

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Advocate General Shreehari Aney's controversial remarks over separate Marathwada has put chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in a spot. Going by the stand of political parties, it seems evident that Aney has no other go but to step down. The CM has announced that he would make the government's stand on the issue, in the assembly on Tuesday.

Speaking at a function organised by the Marathwada Mukti Morcha in Jalna on Sunday, Aney had said: "Along with the creation of a state of Vidarbha, the creation of a state of Marathwada must also be considered... as a just demand and thought must be given for the necessary steps to be taken."

The statement evoked angry reactions from all parties with both the Houses running into repeated adjournments. Speaking to mediapersons, Fadnavis said that since the AG presents the government side in the court of law, he should not be expressing his personal opinions in state issues and issues concerning state in public.

Asked whether he would seek Aney's resignation, Fadnavis neither said yes nor said no, but maintained that he would make a statement in the House on Tuesday.

The Shiv Sena and the opposition, meanwhile, closed ranks, writing to the principal secretary of the legislature for the house to make a recommendation to the governor demanding that Aney be removed.

Aney, during the programme, had said "…there is no need for Mumbai to take note. A state is created in Delhi. It is necessary to pressurise Delhi… I have no guarantee that Mumbai's say will be heard by Delhi. I am doubtful if the present state (government) of Maharashtra will create Vidarbha or not."

The statement led to ripples not just in the Shiv Sena and the opposition but also within the BJP with a senior minister admitting that they had been painted into a corner and isolated by these statements. "There was no need to make such statements. No demands for statehood to Marathwada have been made by local elected representatives or the people. The state reorganisation commission had not suggested the creation of a separate state of Marathwada," he said.

Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said that Aney has been making such controversial statements, bringing disrespect to the state legislature. He pointed out that after Aney made the controversial statement on separate Vidarbha on the eve of winter session in Nagpur, the government had shielded him by saying it was Aney's personal opinion.

NCP leader and former deputy CM Ajit Pawar said that unless Aney is removed, the assembly would not be allowed to run.

Shiv Sena veteran and industries minister Subhash Desai said his party is firm that Aney should be sent packing. Party MLA Sunil Prabhu termed Aney's statement as 'Maharashtra droh' and said the AG should be booked for sedition.

CM to convince Aney to resign?

Since the government cannot order the attorney general to resign, since governor is the appointing authority, it is likely that chief minister Fadnavis would speak to Aney and save himself from the embarrassment on the floor of the House on Tuesday. It is likely that Aney would tender resignation to the governor and the CM would announce the same in the Assembly. According to an official, there is no provision for impeachment in the House and there is no precedence of advocate general being asked to resign for speaking against the interest of the state.

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