Mumbai, Apr 8 (TOI): Maharashtra Legislative Council today witnessed a verbal clash between the members of ruling and the opposition parties over certain objectionable statements made by the Minister of State for Social Justice Dilip Kamble.

The row led to the House being adjourned six times and evoked a sharp response from the Chairman of legislative council Ramraje Nimbalkar.

When the NCP MLC Amarsingh Pandit raised a supplementary query during the question hour, it evoked responses from other opposition members. This angered Kamble and he made certain objectionable comments.

Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde (NCP) condemned his comments strongly.

"The question raised by the member was not in any way related personally to the minister. This is the first time in the history of the state that a minister has threatened a member over a question. Tomorrow any minister will threaten us over asking a question. The minister needs to apologise," Munde said, calling it "black day in Maharashtra's history".

Nimbalkar said that during his long career in the state legislature he had never come across a Minister making such a statement. "What has happened is shameful. Kamble should apologise," he said.

Former Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh said raising a supplementary query is a member's right. "If a minister makes such comments, it is not his responsibility alone but that of the entire cabinet. So the Leader of the House should apologise," he said.

Nimbalkar then directed Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse, who is the Leader of the House, to make a statement.

Khadse conceded that Kamble's statements were not improper. "What happened today should not have happened. Both sides should remain patient as this is the House of seniors. Comments made by Kamble weren't right and I express my regrets over his statements. I will ensure that such comments are not made by any member of the ruling parties in future," Khadse said.