Ganpat Gaikwad firing case: 'Why no probe agency swung into action after BJP MLA's claims against CM Shinde?' asks Uddhav Thackeray

Uddhav Thackeray. File pic

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday slammed the government alleging that investigation agencies are missing in the MLA Ganpat Gaikwad firing case. "Why no probe agency swung into action after BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad claimed that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde owes him crores of rupees", Thackeray questioned, news wire PTI reported.

Speaking at a public rally in Rajapur, Ratnagiri, Thackeray said that he does not support the action of Ganpat Gaikwad but his claims cannot be ignored. The Thane BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad, is accused of firing at former KDMC corporator from Shiv Sena, Mahesh Gaikwad inside a police station in Ulhasnagar on Friday night. Before his arrest in connection with the firing incident, Ganpat Gaikwad on Friday said only criminals will be born in Maharashtra if Shinde is the chief minister, PTI report said.

"Shinde sahib betrayed Uddhav. He will betray the BJP. He owes me crores of rupees. Shinde should resign if Maharashtra has to be well-managed," the MLA told a news channel. Thackeray asked, "Why has no action been taken against the chief minister when BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad has levelled serious allegations against him?, Thackeray asked during the rally in Konkan region on Monday.

"If the Union government can send probe agency officials to the houses of former Jharkhand CM, Hemant Soren and Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal, why no similar urge is shown and Shinde's house is not raided?" he asked, PTI report said.

Meanwhile, MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday, commenting on the BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad firing said that a "gang war" is underway in Maharashtra and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is leading it. "Ganpat Gaikwad was allegedly trying to grab land, which local women opposed. He shot at Mahesh Gaikwad who was supporting these women. Ganpat Gaikwad has himself said CM Shinde made him a criminal," Thackeray claimed.

"There is a gang war going on in Maharashtra and CM Shinde is the leader of it. Shinde carries the tag of betrayer and he must deep clean it (a jibe at the deep cleaning drive of the state government in urban areas including Mumbai)," the Worli MLA said.

(With PTI inputs)