18 July,2025 05:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve. File pic
Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Ambadas Danve on Friday said the scuffle between the supporters of Jitendra Awhad and Gopchand Padalkar in the state assembly lobby as "shameful and unfortunate" and demanded impartial action in the matter.
Raising the issue in the council - a day after the supporters of the two legislators of rival parties clashed in the complex while the House was in session - Danve called for a discussion on the issue.
"It is very shameful. It's not only about the law and order situation outside the state but it has reached Vidhan Sabha now. One legislator is instigating his men. Security authorities should not be partial towards one. It is very unfortunate," he stated, adding, "An impartial action is expected in this matter."
Shashikant Shinde, a legislator from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), also demanded a discussion on the issue while Anil Parab from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) claimed there was a "rate [a price to pay] to enter the high-security state legislature premises in south Mumbai.
"The opposition will name those who sell entry passes and reveal their modus operandi," said the opposition MLC.
After Parab's remarks, Tourism Minister Shamburaj Desai demanded that the Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Legislative Council (MLC) name the officials involved in "selling" passes.
Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena Minister Uday Samant urged council chairperson Ram Shinde to look into the issue of the clash between Awhad and Padalkar's supporters.
Samant said such an incident had never occurred in the state legislature's history.
"It is the right of the speaker (of the assembly) and chairperson (of the council) to decide what has to be done in this matter. Such a thing has never happened in the history of Vidhan Sabha. The traditions of Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad should be protected. The chairperson should look into it and take necessary action," the minister maintained.
On Thursday, the supporters of Awhad - who belongs to the opposition NCP (SP) - and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Gopichand Padalkar engaged in a violent clash in the Vidhan Bhavan lobby while the Maharashtra Monsoon Session 2025 was ongoing.
Shocking videos of the two groups pummelling each other and being dragged apart by security personnel were broadcast by news channels and went viral on social media, causing an embarrassment to the government and raising questions about the safety of public representatives on the legislature premises.
A day earlier, both MLAs and their supporters exchanged expletives and engaged in a verbal spat outside the assembly building.
(With PTI inputs)
