Devendra Fadnavis Orders Investigation After BJP MLA Shoots at Sena Leader

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 3rd Feb. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday ordered a high-level inquiry into the shooting incident in Ulhasnagar involving a BJP MLA and a local Shiv Sena leader, deeming it a “serious” matter.

A police official stated that Ganpat Gaikwad, the BJP MLA from Kalyan, fired at Mahesh Gaikwad, the Shiv Sena chief of Kalyan, inside a police station in Ulhasnagar, Thane district, on Friday night due to a land dispute.

“This incident is serious, and I have instructed the Director General of Police to conduct a thorough investigation. Everyone is equal before the law, regardless of their political affiliations,” Fadnavis told reporters.

The investigation will determine the reasons behind the MLA’s actions and the circumstances surrounding the incident, he added.

If found guilty, the BJP will take appropriate action against the MLA, according to State BJP Chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

Prior to his arrest, Ganpat Gaikwad, in an interview with the news channel ‘Zee24taas’, claimed that he used the firearm to protect his son from being assaulted by the Shiv Sena leader’s men at the police station. He accused Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of promoting criminal activities in Maharashtra.

The BJP MLA also accused the Chief Minister’s son and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde of taking credit for his work and erecting signboards. “I have repeatedly informed my superiors about these individuals resorting to violence against my leaders,” he stated.

Ulhasnagar is part of the Kalyan parliamentary constituency.