Mumbai: Supporters of two MLAs — one from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the other from opposition Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) — on Thursday clashed inside the Maharashtra legislature complex, a day after a fiery showdown between the two legislators themselves.
A PTI report citing eyewitness revealed that supporters of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP’s Gopichand Padalkar were involved in the scuffle and clashed briefly before onlookers separated the two groups.
The video of the incident is going viral on social media platforms.
Reacting to the incident, Awhad said that the whole of Maharashtra knows who the attacker was. “We are being asked for evidence again and again, while the whole country has seen who carried out the attack. Goons are being allowed to enter the assembly and the safety of MLAs is in danger,” he said.
He further claimed that he was abused and threatened with death. “If MLAs are not safe in the assembly, then why should we remain MLAs?” he asked.
Padalkar, MLA from Jat, tendered an apology over the incident after meeting senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule. “It was an unfortunate incident. As a member of the legislative house I express my regrets. I apologise to the Speaker of the assembly and chairperson of the legislative council,” he told reporters.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the incident as “absolutely inappropriate”. “Such behaviour does not suit the dignity of the Vidhan Bhavan. I have urged the Speaker and Chairperson to take the matter seriously and ensure strict action. The House is not a place for people to gather in large numbers and engage in scuffles,” Fadnavis said, talking to the media.
Sources within the BJP revealed that Padalkar, who had exited the premises, was recalled by Minister Bawankule in the aftermath of the incident, as per the PTI report.
The incident followed an altercation between Awhad and Padalkar at the entrance of the legislature building on Wednesday. In a viral video, the two were seen exchanging sharp words.
