Mumbai: Ruling and Oppn MLAs create scene, stop short of exchanging blows

Legislators from the ruling party and the opposition pushed each other and exchanged bad words, at Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday while protesting against each other on the steps.

The incident took place soon after members of the Eknath Shinde faction and some BJP legislators arrived on the steps to raise slogans in retaliation of the agitation held by the opposition. The opposition landed there soon and began responding, which led to chaos that continued for 15-20 minutes. It was only after the intervention of senior leaders that it came to a stop.

Opposition and rebel Shiv Sena leaders raise slogans against each other outside Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

On Wednesday, NCP's Amol Mitkari and Shinde Sena's Mahesh Shinde were particularly aggressive as they were seen pushing each other. Later, Mitkari complained to Shinde. Sena's chief whip Bharat Gogawale said that his colleagues will not tolerate any misbehaviour by the opposition and give it back to them. "They did not push us, but we pushed them. We don't fear anybody," bragged Gogawale, adding that they were the sainiks of Balasaheb Thackeray.

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Shinde group MLAs have been upset because the opposition had questioned their integrity over shifting loyalty from party chief Uddhav Thackeray to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The opposition's slogans in this regard had become a talk of the town since day one of the monsoon session.

The dissent was reflected in CM Shinde's statements in the House as well, when he cautioned the opposition against stooping so low, failing which he said he would be forced to expose the opposition leaders. "I know everything about you because I have worked with you," he had said on Tuesday.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena factions face off over artificial immersion pond at Prabhadevi

With Ganpati festival fast approaching, the city witnessed the first spark between the two factions of the Shiv Sena over the groundbreaking ceremony of an artificial immersion pond at Prabhadevi. Members of Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena held an event early in the morning on Wednesday, which was followed by another organised by the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde camp.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has plans to develop an artificial immersion pond at Prabhadevi's Chawanni Galli Maidan, as part of the 173 proposed artificial ponds across the city. Former corporator Hemangi Worlikar and another member of the Thackrey group did the groundbreaking of the pond around 10.30 am on Wednesday.

MLA Sada Sarvankar takes part in the event held by the Shinde camp

"Worlikar has been following up on this artificial pond which will be useful for the citizens. So, we decided to do a groundbreaking ceremony as a ritual," said Mahesh Sawant, Shiv Sena vibhag pramukh from the Thackeray faction. He further added, "As they [Shinde camp] came to know we are holding this ceremony they decided to do it before us. So we held it even before that."

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The venue again saw a gathering as the Shinde camp held an event just an hour later at 11.30 am. Former corporator Samadan Sarvankar said, "How can they claim the BMC has decided to develop an artificial pond in this ground? This pond was created for immersion every year since 2012. As a local representative, MLA Sada Sarvankar did a groundbreaking ceremony."

Former corporator Hemangi Worlikar holds the groundbreaking ceremony at Chawanni Galli Maidan, Prabhadevi, on Wednesday morning

He further added, "How can they take credit for it? They are not even people's representatives as the corporation's term has ended." Mahim, Dadar, Prabhadevi and Worli are the stronghold areas of the Shiv Sena, which had led to a show of power among the two factions.

Also Read: Mumbai: Ruling and Oppn MLAs create scene, stop short of exchanging blows