Mumbai, Mar 09: In a move viewed as a bid to embarrass the DF government in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena-BJP combine is pressing for installing V D Savarkar's portrait in the state legislature. After Leader of the Opposition Narayan Rane dashed off a letter to the Speaker Arun Gujrathi demanding putting up Savarkar's portrait in the Central Hall of the Vidhan Bhavan here, his counterpart in the Upper House Nitin Gadkari made a similar plea to the chairman Prof N S Pharande today.
Releasing the copies of his letter to Pharande, Gadkari said "There may be differences on the ideology of Savarkar but his contribution in the country's freedom struggle was unquestionable.”

Reeling out names of leader's from various political parties, who have euologised Savarkar in the past, Gadkari urged Pharande to take all steps for installation of Hindu Mahasabha leader's portrait in the Vidhan Bhavan.

The saffron parties plan is seen as an attempt to embarrass the government since both congress and NCP had opposed unveiling of Savarkar's portrait in Parliament. The issue has an emotive appeal in view of Savarkar enjoying an iconic status in the state next only to Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
However, following state-wide demonstrations by the Sena-BJP opposition, the ruling front partners in Maharashtra softened their stance saying they had never termed Savarkar a "traitor". NCP went a step ahead saying it never opposed installation of Savarkar's portrait in Parliament.
The Sena-BJP combine is likely to raise the issue during the budget session commencing tomorrow.
Bureau Report