Latest news with #Awhad


Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra MLAs who scuffled on Assembly premises: Who are Gopichand Padalkar, Jitendra Awhad?
The Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Assembly witnessed ugly scenes after the supporters of a BJP MLA and NCP (Shandrachandra Pawar) legislator clashed. The incident, sources said, was triggered when BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar's vehicle allegedly came to a halt where NCP(SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad was standing, leading to a heated verbal exchange between the two leaders. Videos of the incident that surfaced on social media on Friday purportedly show Awhad referring to Padalkar as a 'mangalsutra thief', in an apparent reference to a past video that showed the BJP MLA being involved in a commotion at a wedding. Though Padalkar reacted strongly to Awhad, the matter seemed to have been resolved. However, soon afterwards, the tensions continued after supporters of the two leaders exchanged blows on the Assembly premises, forcing Speaker Rahul Narwekar to intervene and temporarily suspend visitors from entering the premises. He also referred the matter to the Privileges Committee. Though the leaders expressed regret on the floor of the House, the incident put the spotlight on the long-simmering rivalry between the two who represent vastly different constituencies, ideologies, and political styles. Though both leaders hail from the OBC communities, they represent different wings of Maharashtra politics. Padalkar is the BJP's rural spearhead against the old Maratha establishment, while Awhad is the urban secularist from the Pawar school of politics. One relies on street mobilisation and caste pride, the other on ideological confrontation and community outreach. A first-time MLA from the Jat Assembly seat in Sangli district, 43-year-old Padalkar is one of the most vocal representatives of the Dhangar (shepherd) community. Born into an OBC Dhangar family with modest means, Padalkar began his political career with the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP), a party with a strong influence among the Dhangar community that has been pushing for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Padalkar's political journey has been chequered. While he served as a BJP-nominated MLC from 2020 to 2024, he lost several Assembly polls before eventually emerging victorious from the Jat Assembly seat in last year's elections. Known for his rustic oratory and flair for dramatic speeches, Padalkar briefly aligned with Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) in 2019 before returning to the BJP the same year. There, he emerged as a combative OBC voice to take on the Maratha-dominated NCP and Pawar. Over the years, Padalkar has cultivated a strong rural OBC voter base and has emerged as one of the staunchest critics of NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar and in 2020, infamously referred to him as 'virus' while opposing his presence at public events related to the Dhangar community. Outside politics, Padalkar produced and starred in a Marathi film, Dhumas (2019), which seemingly added to his popular image in rural Maharashtra. A four-time MLA from the Mumbra-Kalwa seat in Thane, 61-year-old Awhad began his political career as a student activist in the 1980s and was a prominent voice in the anti-fee hike agitations. He steadily rose through the ranks of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the Congress's student body, and served as an MLC between 2002 and 2008. Awhad made his successful electoral debut in 2009 from the Mumbra-Kalwa Assembly seat and has retained the seat since then. He was a minister in the Congress-undivided NCP as well as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) governments, where he held key portfolios like Housing, Medical Education, Minority Development and Aukaf. A PhD in socio-religious movements, Awhad is from the OBC Vanjari community and is known for his articulate, ideological approach and staunch opposition to right-wing politics. In 2018, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) uncovered an alleged plot by extremists to target him, a claim he used to shore up his political positioning. Awhad's combative personality has often landed him in soup. In 2020, he was booked for assaulting a civil engineer in Thane over a morphed meme. Two years later, a complaint was registered against the MLA after he protested against the Marathi film Har Har Mahadev and assaulted a man at a multiplex in Thane, alleging it distorted Maratha history. In the Assembly, Awhad is known for his sharp interventions and sarcastic wit, which he often uses to target BJP leaders. Last week, Awhad landed in a row after he was seen assaulting a TV journalist inside the Assembly premises. 'Video footage of this incident clearly shows Awhad physically assaulted the reporter, who was recording his interaction with Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Ambadas Danve. Such behaviour by an elected representative is absolutely unacceptable and raises serious concerns about the safety and security of journalists covering the Assembly session,' the Mumbai Press Club said in a statement following the incident. Despite the controversies, he continues to remain a trusted lieutenant of Pawar and one of the party's most visible urban leaders. He was recently appointed as spokesperson of the NCP (SP) and has also served as the party's floor leader in the Assembly.


Scroll.in
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Mumbai Press Club demands action against MLA from Sharad Pawar's NCP for assaulting journalist
The Mumbai Press Club on Friday urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar to take strict action against Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Jitendra Awhad for assaulting a journalist. Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Nitesh Rane posted a video on X in which Awhad could be seen slapping a journalist who was recording his conversation with Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Ambadas Danve. It is unclear when the video was shot. In its statement issued on Friday, the Mumbai Press Club described Awhad's actions as 'shameful'. It said that such behaviour by an elected representative is 'unacceptable and raises concerns about the safety and security' of journalists covering the Assembly session. 'The Assembly premises are a democratic space where journalists have the right to report freely without fear or intimidation,' stated the press body. 'An assault like this not only violates the freedom of the press but also sends out a dangerous message to the entire journalist community.' It demanded that 'concrete measures be put in place to ensure the safety of all journalists who are covering the proceedings of the House'. 'No elected leader has the right to raise a hand on a journalist,' stated the Mumbai Press Club. 'We stand firmly with our colleague and reiterate that attacks on the press will not be tolerated.' Awhad booked after clash inside Assembly Meanwhile, a case was registered against Awhad for allegedly obstructing the work of the police during a protest against the detention of one of his supporters, reported ANI. This came a day after a scuffle broke out between workers of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) and the Bharatiya Janata Party inside the Assembly premises. 'Yesterday, after a fight between BJP and NCP workers at Vidhan Bhavan, Jitendra Awhad and his workers obstructed the work by sitting in front of the police vehicle in the evening,' stated the police. Awhad had launched a sit-in protest around 2 am after the police detained his supporter Nitin Deshmukh, who was involved in the scuffle with supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar. Awhad alleged that the police were acting in a biased manner by arresting only his aide while Padalkar's supporters were being treated leniently, The New Indian Express reported. The MLA reportedly physically blocked the police vehicle and had to be forcibly removed by security personnel. Speaker bans entry of visitors Against this backdrop, the Maharashtra speaker on Friday imposed a blanket ban on visitors to the state Assembly during the Monsoon Session, The Indian Express reported. 'The conduct of Nitin Deshmukh and Sarjerao Takle [Padalkar's guest] has brought disrepute to the legislature,' the newspaper quoted Narwekar as saying. 'I am handing over the matter to the Privileges Committee and directing that a police complaint be lodged.' Narwekar also said that an ethics committee empowered to disqualify members will be formed within a week to ensure proper conduct of the legislators. Citing security concerns and the need to maintain legislative decorum, he also directed ministers not to hold meetings within the Assembly complex. All briefings and official interactions must take place at the state secretariat, the newspaper quoted Narwekar as saying.


NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Video: "Keep Your Voice Down," Sharad Pawar's Grandnephew Shouts At Cop
Hours after a violent clash at the premises of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, a heated exchange took place between NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction leader Rohit Pawar and a cop after he, along with party colleague Jitendra Awhad, went to visit a supporter who was detained at a police station in Mumbai. "Keep your voice down, keep your voice down. If you raise your hand, I will teach you a lesson," Mr Pawar, the grandnephew of Sharad Pawar, was heard shouting in Marathi at a sub-inspector at the Azad Maidan police station early Friday. "Don't be smart, if you are not able to speak, don't speak," he was heard saying, pointing his finger at the official in a video. At this point, another official was seen intervening, appearing to ask both sides to calm down. The video was shared on X by the NCP (SP) social media vice president of Maharashtra, Yogesh Sawant. "If you harass our workers without reason, Rohit dada (Pawar) and (Jitendra) Awhad saheb are ready to fight. From now on, if you use the police to suppress us, this is the kind of response you will get," he wrote alongside the video. Later, while speaking to reporters, he claimed that the police officer did not give proper information and allegedly raised his voice, which led to the argument. The argument followed a late-night high drama at the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan, where a protest was staged by Mr Awhad and others against the detention of his supporter Nitin Deshmukh. Mr Deshmukh was allegedly assaulted by supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar during a violent clash in the lobby of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly yesterday. Shocking videos show the two sides attacking each other. They had to be dragged back by security personnel at the assembly. Both groups were detained inside the assembly till late at night. After this, supporters of both parties were handed over to the Marine Drive police. MLA Awhad allegedly sat in front of a police vehicle outside the assembly when his supporter was being taken to the police station, said an official. The police official said they repeatedly requested the MLA to move. But when he refused, he was forcibly removed by the officials, he said. Rohit Pawar and Jitendra Awhad then tried to find out which police station Nitin Deshmukh had been taken to, and reached Azad Maidan police station. The Mumbai Police later registered a case against Mr Awhad for obstructing public servants in discharging their duty.


News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Mangalsutra Chor': A Passing Comment That Turned Maharashtra Assembly Into Battlefield
Last Updated: The political clash has once again raised questions about decorum within the legislative complex, prompting calls for accountability A day after a violent scuffle broke out between supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Jitendra Awhad inside the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai Police has arrested two individuals in connection with the assault. The incident, which took place on Thursday, has triggered political outrage and a police probe, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assuring swift action. According to police officials, Nitin Deshmukh and Rishikesh Takle, reportedly affiliated with the BJP and NCP, respectively, were taken into custody late Thursday night. A case has been registered at the Marine Drive Police Station. What Led To The Clash? The tension between Awhad and Padalkar began a day before the incident when Padalkar was giving a media byte and Awhad passed by, allegedly calling him a 'Mangalsutra chor" (mangalsutra thief). This remark reportedly didn't sit well with Padalkar. The following day, Padalkar confronted Awhad near the legislature entrance, which led to a violent altercation between their supporters soon after. MNS chief Raj Thackeray strongly condemned the recent clash inside Maharashtra's Vidhan Bhavan, calling it a shameful reflection of the current political atmosphere. Referring to a viral video of the brawl between the ruling party and opposition workers, Thackeray said, 'I watched a video of a fierce brawl between the workers of the ruling party's MLAs and those of the opposition party in the premises of the Vidhan Bhavan. Seeing this video, I genuinely wondered, 'What has become of our Maharashtra?'" His comments came amid growing concern over rising political hostility and the erosion of decorum within legislative spaces. Thackeray went on to criticise the political leadership across parties, stating that the loss of ideological grounding has led to the inclusion of unruly elements who are used to target senior leaders with disgraceful language, only for the same parties to later lecture on political ethics. 'Power is meant to serve, not to dominate. When that is forgotten, hypocrisy takes over. I believe the people of Maharashtra have started to see through it. I ask the Marathi people – in whose hands have you entrusted Maharashtra?" he said, adding that such incidents raise serious concerns about the future of governance in the state. Background To The Brawl The physical confrontation inside the legislature complex escalated after a verbal spat between the two leaders over a car door incident. On Wednesday, Padalkar exited his car and allegedly slammed the door shut near Awhad. The NCP MLA claimed the act was deliberate and dangerous, sparking a heated exchange of words between the two in full public view. On Thursday, tensions boiled over. A video of the clash inside the ground floor lobby of the Vidhan Bhavan has gone viral, showing supporters from both sides punching, kicking, and hurling abuses at each other. The chaos was eventually brought under control by security personnel, who detained one individual from each group on the spot. The incident was reported to Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, who has sought a detailed report and promised appropriate action. Meanwhile, Padalkar expressed regret over the incident, telling reporters, 'This is an unfortunate incident… I express my regret and apologise." The political clash has once again raised questions about decorum within the legislative complex, prompting calls for accountability and restraint among public representatives. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
BJP, NCP (SP) workers clash a day after altercation between Gopichand Padalkar, Jitendra Awhad
A day after an altercation broke out between BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad outside the Legislature campus, workers of both the parties engaged in a physical duel at the staircase of the legislative building. On Thursday evening, a physical altercation broke out as workers from both the parties came face-to-face at the staircase of the legislative building. The incident has its roots in the altercation between Padalkar and Awhad on Wednesday evening at the parking area of the legislative building, where both allegedly abused each other. Maharashtra assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar has sought a detailed report on the incident, after Awhad informed the Assembly about the threats he had received and claimed that the workers had come to target him. 'They were here to target me. But since I had gone out after my speech in the assembly, they found my workers and beat them,' he said. Narverkar directed that he will ensure safety of every MLA and a detailed report should be submitted to him. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the incident. 'The Speaker and the Chairman should take a serious note of it. I have requested them to take a strict action. This does not reflect the culture of the legislature,' he said. Former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demanded strict action against the goons. 'Those are not political workers, but goons. Is this what we have reduced to?' asked Thackeray. Speaking to reporters after meeting Fadnavis, Awhad said, 'What's the use of becoming an MLA if they are not safe within the campus of the Legislature? If an accused under MCOCA can come to the legislative building, then it is important that authorities take serious note of it.' Padalkar was called by state revenue minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule after the NCP-SP delegation of Awhad and senior MLA Jayant Patil held a meeting with CM Fadnavis. 'The incident is unfortunate. I apologise to the Speaker and Chairman. I will speak to the media only after I have discussed the matter with the party leadership,' said Padalkar.