Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray told mediapersons on Wednesday that Eknath Shinde-led Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad’s alleged slapping of an MLA hostel canteen employee supposedly after being served “stale food”, could be an attempt to “defame” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Incidentally, Chief Minister Fadnavis has condemned the assault and called it “a wrong thing. If somebody has any issue with the food served in the MLA Hostel, a formal complaint ought to have been made so that we can take action”.
“I have information about this matter. Such behaviour is not right. It was reported that the vegetables were stale, but it is not right for people’s representatives to beat up anyone. It sends the wrong message to people. Therefore, the Speaker should decide what action can be taken in this regard,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the Legislative Council on Wednesday.
Speaking to mediapersons at the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly complex about the Tuesday night incident, Uddhav Thackeray said, “Something is going on in the government. There seems to be an attempt to defame Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Therefore, he needs to be alert. I heard that the Chief Minister has ordered action against (Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena) MLA Sanjay Gaikwad. It will be known in a few days. Otherwise, it will be proven that this incident has the support of the Chief Minister”.
After Uddhav Thackeray was asked about how Chief Minister Fadnavis is being defamed, Uddhav replied, “Eknath Shinde had staked a claim to the post of Chief Minister, but he was not made the Chief Minister. He is waiting for his chance. The legislature exists to give justice to sections like farmers, workers, and teachers, but some useless people are being given importance. Therefore, the Chief Minister should take immediate action against them and prove that his administration is clean. As I said earlier, the real BJP has been murdered and its killers are roaming free”.
On Tuesday night, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad beat up an MLA hostel canteen employee for allegedly serving “stale food”. After the video of the assault went viral, MLA Sanjay Gaikwad told media persons on Wednesday, “If someone is feeding me poison, should I worship him? Balasaheb Thackeray did not teach us this. He taught us to rise against injustice if we are wronged. I had repeatedly requested the canteen operators at the MLA hostel to improve the quality of food, but there has been no improvement. I have been coming to the canteen for 30 years. I have been living at the hostel for 5 years. Several times, I had asked them to improve the quality of food. The eggs here are 15 days old, the meat is stale for 15 to 20 days, and the vegetables are also old. Five to ten thousand people eat here every day, and everyone has similar complaints”.
The matter was raised in the legislative council by Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena MLA Anil Parab, who said, “You beat up employees. If you have the courage, beat up the minister. Will you support such people? Shouldn’t such MLAs be suspended? Also, how should an MLA live? Should he come to the canteen wearing a banyan and a towel?”