Simultaneously, the State Government has asked the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to verify the medical certificates produced by these three legislators for remaining away from the session. An official communication to the MMC says, ``Prime facie, it appears that the certificates issued to Naik, Nawale and Gawande are doubtful. The Maharashtra Medical Council should conduct a probe into the certificates and submit a report to the Government at the earliest.''

Justifying the decision of the party, the Chief Minister said, ``I believe the three ministers have defied the party whip. Theyhave, consequently, invited against themselves disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection law. Our lawyer has been asked to take necessary steps against them.''

Taking serious note of their absence, Sena chief Bal Thackeray too asked Parliamentary Affairs Minister Leeladhar Dake to initiate proceedings against them under the provisions of the anti-defection law.

The truant trio had conveyed to Dake as well as Speaker Datta Nalawade's office that despite a strong desire, they were unable to participate in the proceedings''.

The interesting turn to the issue is the Government's calling for a verification of medical certificates produced by the errant ministers.

Naik is a resident of Navi-Mumbai, and Nawale and Gawande of Beed in Marathwada and Akola in Vidarbha respectively. But their certificates have been issued by three different hospitals in Navi Mumbai.

Naik's certificate was issued by the Sterling Hospital in Navi Mumbai and advises the legislator complete rest for three days fromFebruary 17 due to `acute colies and hematuria'. Naik's certificate has been signed by a `medical attendant'. Neither does the document mention his name nor does it say whether the attendant is a doctor.

Rules have it that the certifying authority has to mention his complete name along with his registration number while issuing such a certificate.

Gawande's certificate, meanwhile, comes from the M G M Hospital Hospital, Belapur. It states that the former is suffering from chest pain and is advised bed rest in the Intensive Care Unit; signed by medical superintendent S N Kadam. Nawale has one from Mahajan's Hospital, in Navi Mumbai, which also prescribes Nawale bed rest for severe abdominal pain and vomiting.