A dramatic confrontation erupted between supporters of NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jitendra Awhad and BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar in the Maharashtra Assembly lobby on Thursday. The face-off followed a heated argument at the gate, reviving an old political feud. Security intervened as tensions flared amid an already charged political atmosphere.
Reacting to this behaviour, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the altercation unfortunate and demanded a thorough inquiry under the purview of the Legislative Assembly and Council Speakers.
He said, "The situation that occurred is not correct. This comes under the purview of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker and the Maharashtra Legislative Council Speaker. That’s why attention should be given to this issue. Such fights should not happen in Vidhan Bhavan. That’s why a proper investigation should be done on this issue," says Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on the clash outside the State Assembly, reportedly between supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad."
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was more scathing, saying, "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."
Yesterday, tensions flared outside Vidhan Bhavan as BJP MLA Padalkar and NCP Leader Awhad had a verbal altercation when the door of Padalkar’s vehicle allegedly hit him as he was walking past the entrance. Enraged, Awhad confronted the BJP leader, accusing him of recklessness and deliberate provocation. “What kind of childishness is this? You hit us with a car door? I’ve lived here all my life—don’t try to act like a don,” Awhad snapped during the encounter.
The exchange quickly devolved into a public shouting match, with both leaders hurling abuses and gesturing aggressively. Security personnel and aides tried to separate the two, but not before onlookers captured videos of the incident, which soon flooded social media.