In a shocking event that stirred the political landscape of Maharashtra, an altercation involving gunfire transpired near Mumbai, in Ulhasnagar, involving two prominent figures from opposing political factions. The incident, which unfolded on a late Friday night within the confines of the Hill Line Police Station, saw Ganpat Gaikwad, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), embroiled in a grave confrontation with Mahesh Gaikwad, a leader from the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde.
The root of the conflict, as reports suggest, was a contentious dispute over land, which escalated to a point where Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly resorted to gunfire, aiming at Mahesh Gaikwad. The altercation not only witnessed the exchange of heated words but culminated in a physical altercation, resulting in Mahesh Gaikwad and one of his aides sustaining injuries from five bullets. Following the incident, the injured were promptly admitted to a hospital in Thane city for medical attention, and a formal complaint was registered with the police.
Eyewitness accounts and police reports provide a detailed narrative of the events leading up to the violence. It was during a discussion in the office of Senior Inspector Anil Jagtap that tensions flared. The conversation involved both Ganpat Gaikwad and Mahesh Gaikwad and was intended to address their longstanding disputes. However, the situation rapidly deteriorated when supporters of the BJP MLA allegedly initiated a clash, which led to Ganpat Gaikwad discharging his firearm at Mahesh Gaikwad.
The aftermath of the incident saw Mahesh Gaikwad, a significant figure in the Shiv Sena party, gravely wounded and undergoing treatment at Thane’s Jupiter hospital. The incident has not only left Mahesh Gaikwad in a critical condition but has also cast a shadow over the political alliance between the BJP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), with both parties currently part of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra.
Ganpat Gaikwad, the MLA in question, represents the Kalyan East constituency, which lies approximately 40 km from Mumbai. His actions and subsequent arrest have sparked widespread controversy and debate, particularly given his unapologetic stance on the matter. When confronted by media, Ganpat Gaikwad admitted to the shooting and expressed no remorse, justifying his actions as a response to an attack on his son within the premises of the police station. He stated, “Yes, I shot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten in front of the police inside the police station, what will I do?” This statement not only acknowledges his involvement but also reflects the intense personal and political animosities that underpin this incident.
The confrontation between the two Gaikwads is not an isolated event but the culmination of a protracted rivalry, particularly with regard to their contestation for the candidature from the Kalyan East Legislative Assembly. This rivalry has been marked by continuous exchanges of verbal assaults and political maneuvering, with both parties seizing every opportunity to undermine each other.
The incident has also sparked a broader debate about the state of law and order in Maharashtra, with Ganpat Gaikwad leveling serious accusations against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He accused Shinde of fostering a criminal environment within the state, asserting, “If Eknath Shinde is the chief minister, only criminals will be born in Maharashtra.”Today, he has turned someone as decent as myself into a criminal.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with senior law enforcement officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Sudhakar Pathare and Additional Commissioner of Police Shinde, providing insights into the sequence of events. According to their statements, the altercation ensued following a dispute over land, with both parties arriving at the police station to lodge competing complaints. The situation escalated when Ganpat Gaikwad discharged his weapon at Mahesh Gaikwad and his associate inside the senior inspector’s chamber.
This incident has not only highlighted the personal vendettas that often plague political relationships but also raises significant questions about the safety and security within police station premises, the integrity of political figures, and the broader implications for the political alliance between the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) in Maharashtra. As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen how this event will impact the political dynamics within the state and the future of the individuals involved.