Case registered against Jitendra Awhad for obstructing government work by crawling under a Police vehicle !

• Chaos in Vidhan Bhavan premises !

• MLA Jitendra Awhad was dragged away by Police personnel and removed from the spot !

Mumbai, 18 July – A clash broke out on 17 July in the Vidhan Bhavan premises between supporters of Sharad Pawar faction MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar. Jitendra Awhad staged a protest in the Vidhan Bhavan area until 2 am. While the Police were taking away Awhad’s supporter Nitin Deshmukh through the rear entrance of the building, Awhad and his workers stopped the Police vehicle. Awhad staged a protest directly in front of the Police vehicle and even crawled underneath it, leading to disorder late in the night. For creating obstruction in government work, Mumbai Police have registered a case against Awhad. The complaint was filed with the permission of Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar.

Awhad alleged that although the person who was beaten up was arrested by the Police, those involved in the assault — five individuals — were protected. The entire incident has been captured on video.

Following this, the Police launched a crackdown using force; however, Awhad continued his protest by squatting in front of the Police vehicle and stopping it.

The Police had to physically drag Awhad away from the vehicle. Thereafter, a large Police force was called in, and all protesters were taken into custody.

“My associates made a mistake” – MLA Gopichand Padalkar expresses regret

Mumbai, 18 July – Referring to the scuffle that occurred in the legislature premises on 17 July, BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar on 18 July expressed regret and said, “My associates made a mistake. This matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Speaker and the Chairpersons. They are supreme, and I have no opinion against their decision.”

Speaking to the media about the incident involving supporters of Jitendra Awhad (NCP – Sharad Pawar faction) and his own, Padalkar said, “I presented my position yesterday itself. I apologised to the Speaker and requested that action be taken with a strict warning to those involved. The complaint was filed late at night. Law is supreme. We are law-abiding party workers. Whatever action is taken, we will face it in court.”

Editorial Perspective

MLAs are elected by the people to carry out development work. However, the scenes of violent clashes, verbal abuse, and obstruction of Police vehicles within the Vidhan Bhavan premises reflect the severe degradation of political standards in the state. How can such leaders or representatives be expected to deliver good governance to the citizens ?