'Don't Mess With Gopi Saheb, We'll Kill You': Jitendra Awhad Receives Death Threats Day After Clash With BJP's Gopichand Padalkar

Mumbai: Senior NCP-Sharad Pawar faction leader and MLA Jitendra Awhad alleged receiving abusive and threatening messages following a heated clash with BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar. Awhad took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share screenshots of the messages, which included obscene language, derogatory remarks aimed at him and his mother and direct death threats.

In the post, Awhad wrote, “This message came to me while I was at Vidhan Bhavan just now… What’s going on in Maharashtra?” He also tagged Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, the Chief Minister's Office, Maharashtra Director General of Police, and Mumbai Police, seeking urgent attention to the threats. Awhad publicly shared the sender’s mobile number as well.

The messages reportedly warned him not to 'mess with Gopi Saheb,' believed to be a reference to Gopichand Padalkar and threatened to either shoot him or run him over. However, as of now, there has been no official statement or confirmation regarding legal action being taken in connection with these threats.

Jitendra Awhad-Gopichand Padalkar Clash Outside Vidhan Bhavan

The threats came just a day after a physical and verbal altercation between the two legislators outside Vidhan Bhavan. According to reports, the incident began when Gopichand Padalkar's vehicle entered the legislature premises, allegedly brushing against Awhad and his associate Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of MLA Santosh Deshmukh, who were standing near the gate.

A dispute broke out following the incident, escalating into a shouting match in full public view. Padalkar allegedly hurled insults at Awhad, calling him someone who "roams around with dogs,” and further said, “I roam alone. Not with dogs like you.” Awhad retaliated with sharp words, reportedly saying, “Should I show you who I really am?”

The heated exchange quickly made its way to social media, with videos of the argument going viral and sparking widespread political reactions. Both leaders have since traded accusations, intensifying tensions between the ruling and opposition camps.