Two individuals have been arrested in connection with a clash that broke out on the premises of the Maharashtra Legislature complex, Vidhan Bhavan, in Mumbai. The Mumbai Marine Drive Police confirmed the arrest of Nitin Deshmukh and Rishikesh Takle on Friday. Deshmukh is reportedly a supporter of NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), while Takle is linked to the BJP.
The clash occurred on Thursday between supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP(SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad while both Houses of the Legislature were in session. The fight broke out in the Vidhan Bhavan lobby, raising serious concerns about the security of legislators within the Assembly premises.
The incident follows a heated altercation between Padalkar and Awhad outside the complex on Wednesday. Awhad, speaking in the Assembly, alleged that BJP workers had come to target him and attacked his party workers when they couldn’t find him. “They were here to target me. I had stepped out after speaking in the House. They found my supporters instead and thrashed them,” Awhad claimed.
He further stated that he had been subjected to obscene online criticism and direct threats. “Those goons had come to kill me,” he alleged during the Assembly session, demanding stronger security measures within the complex.
The matter was raised by Awhad, fellow NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, and BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay in the Assembly. In response, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar expressed concern and assured strict action. “Ensuring security in Vidhan Bhavan is my responsibility. A detailed report will be submitted, and action will follow,” Narwekar said.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also condemned the incident and supported calls for enhanced security to protect elected representatives.
