‘Doesn’t Send Right Message’: Fadnavis Slams Ally Sena MLA Over Viral Assault Video
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday strongly criticised Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, an ally of his government, after a video of the legislator slapping a canteen employee went viral, stating that such conduct “does not send the right message.”
The Chief Minister’s sharp rebuke came after the opposition raised the matter in the state’s Legislative Council. The video shows Gaikwad, a legislator from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, assaulting a staff member at the MLA Guest House in Mumbai, reportedly over the poor quality of food.
“MLA Sanjay Gaikwad’s behaviour is inappropriate and creates a negative perception about all legislators among the public,” Fadnavis said in the House, responding to Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Anil Parab.
Fadnavis asserted that while there are formal channels to complain about issues like food quality, resorting to assault is unacceptable. “A wrong message goes among people about all MLAs that there is a misuse of power… This is a serious issue,” the CM said, urging the Council Chairman and Assembly Speaker to take cognizance of the incident for further action.
The controversy erupted after the video of the assault, which took place at the state-run guest house where many legislators stay during the ongoing Monsoon Session, circulated widely on social media.
Justifying his actions, Gaikwad, who represents the Buldhana constituency, claimed he was served stale food that made him sick. “Around 9:30 or 10 PM, I went to the canteen for dinner. I took varan bhaat (dal rice) to eat, and the moment I took the first bite, it tasted sour. On the second bite, I actually puked,” the MLA told reporters. “I confronted the canteen staff and asked if they were serving poison. This isn’t the first time either.”
The incident comes just days after workers from another ruling ally, the MNS, were involved in multiple incidents of assaulting non-Marathi speakers, putting the government on the back foot over the conduct of its coalition members.
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