A day after a heated exchange took place between NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar, a scuffle broke out between their supporters in the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan (legislature complex) on Thursday.
Taking serious note of the incident, Speaker Rahul Narwekar sought a report. The clash took place on the ground floor lobby of the building, and the situation escalated briefly before onlookers separated the two groups, an eyewitness said. Security staff detained a person each from the two groups.
Speaking to reporters, Padalkar said, "I do not know anything about the incident. You can ask him (Awhad), he is sitting in the House. I do not know anyone who was involved."
Awhad, a former minister, expressed concern over safety within the legislature complex. "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 claimed.
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. Awhad, MLA from Mumbra-Kalwa, had claimed that Padalkar intentionally slammed the door of his car after getting down, causing it to hit him. The latter offered no comment on the allegation.
Padalkar, who represents Jat constituency in Sangli district, has been an outspoken critic of NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and MP Supriya Sule. His past remarks against the Pawar family had drawn sharp reactions from NCP (SP) leaders.
Meanwhile, in the assembly, MLAs cutting across party lines spoke about Thursday's clash, and expressed concern over overcrowding in the legislature premises. Culture minister Ashish Shelar demanded an inquiry into the issuance of passes during the day. Speaker Narwekar said he has sought a report into the incident, and will take appropriate action.
Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, a member of the legislative council, said such "goon-like behaviour" was completely unacceptable. "One must ask who authorised the entry of such individuals. Those who issued passes must be investigated. This is a very serious matter, and I urge the chief minister to take strict and immediate action against those involved," he told reporters.
Vidhan Bhavan is a highly respected institution and its dignity must be upheld at all costs, the former chief minister added. Congress MLA Nana Patole said, "This is inappropriate. Speaker Rahul Narwekar has assured us that he will take action."