‘Goons Reached Vidhan Sabha’: Uddhav Asks Fadnavis To Take Responsibility After BJP-NCP (SP) Clash, CM Seeks Probe
Tensions flared at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan on Thursday after a clash broke out between supporters of NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar. The incident occurred in the lobby of the legislative complex, following a heated exchange between the two leaders a day prior.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed concern over the altercation, stating that the issue falls under the purview of the Assembly and Council Speakers. “This comes under (the purview of) Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker and the Maharashtra Legislative Council Speaker. That’s why attention towards this issue should be given. Such fights should not happen in Vidhan Bhavan. That's why a proper investigation should be done on this issue,” Fadnavis was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Culture Minister Ashish Shelar echoed the need for a probe, particularly over the issuance of entry passes amid concerns about overcrowding.
Maharashtra BJP President and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule condemned the clash, “Supporters of two MLAs, NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar, came to blows on the premises of the Maharashtra legislature complex. This is not good for the legislature and its premises. We must maintain our reputation. I have talked to both Jitendra Awhad and Gopichand Padalkar. They have sought forgiveness for this”, news agency PTI reported.
Calling the clash unfortunate, he emphasised that while the conflict between the two has ended, such an incident should not be repeated.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray called on the Chief Minister, who is also the State Home Minister, to assume accountability. “If goons have reached Vidhan Sabha, then State Home Minister and Chief Minister should take responsibility for it. This is very unfortunate. Such conduct at the Vidhan Sabha is not appropriate,” he told reporters, as quoted by ANI.
He added that those responsible for issuing passes must be held accountable. “This is a very serious matter, and I urge the Chief Minister to take strict and immediate action against those involved. Vidhan Bhavan is a highly respected institution and its dignity must be upheld at all costs,” Thackeray asserted.
Awhad Alleges Premeditated Plot To Kill Him
NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad, whose supporters were part of the scuffle, alleged that the confrontation was a planned assault on him. “If MLAs are not safe even inside the Vidhan Bhavan, what is the point of being a public representative? What is our crime? I had just stepped out to get some fresh air. I think they came to attack me,” he told PTI.
In remarks reported by ANI, Awhad further said, “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. I was abused, threatened with death. Abusive words like ‘dog’, ‘pig’ were used… If MLAs are not safe in the assembly, then why should we remain MLAs?”
He even went on to allege a murder conspiracy: “I do not want to say anything. If MCOCA accused are coming inside (Assembly) and after the plan to kill me was foiled, they are trying to kill my workers, what can be an action more petty than this? If MCOCA accused can come in and hatch a plan to kill…I had been noticing for the past three days that these same people were watching me… But this has crossed all limits.”
As Opposition Corner Fadnavis Govt, BJP Allies Call Maharashtra Assembly 'Temple', Urging Respect
Congress MLA Nana Patole condemned the incident, describing it as “inappropriate” and pointing out that Speaker Rahul Narwekar had assured suitable action. “We condemn the incident… Our examples are cited and taken pride in, across the country. But what happened on the Vidhan Sabha premises today should not happen again,” he said.
He highlighted the security risk posed by large entourages accompanying MLAs and ministers: “Mumbai is always on high alert… such large number of people accompanying MLAs and ministers and endanger the security of Vidhan Sabha is a very serious matter. Even the Parliament was not safe, that too was attacked during Atal Bihari Vajpayee government’s rule. So, I think this is not the responsibility of Speaker alone. All public representatives should take care of this.”
NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule also expressed disappointment, responding to the ongoing Marathi language row. “Maharashtra is a very cultured state. We never insulted anyone earlier, nor today, nor will we do it in the future… People over here are also very cultured, and Maharashtra has always respected every language, every state, every province, and every person. It is very sad that if the CM of Maharashtra feels this way, and if the leader of Maharashtra will speak against its own state, then it is indeed a matter of sadness,” she told ANI.
Reacting to the events, Minister Pratap Sarnaik commented to IANS, “We consider the Vidhan Bhavan our temple. If anyone continues to fight and create chaos inside this temple, it is an insult to the entire democratic system.“
Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC echoed the remarks as she told ANI, “Unity in diversity is the speciality of Maharashtra. We have always upheld our culture. When you see a brawl in the House today, it saddens you because these are all public representatives. Leaders and their workers should understand their conduct in public life. If we call Parliament the temple of democracy, Vidhan Sabha is the temple of democracy in Maharashtra.“
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