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A day after a heated exchange took place between NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar, a scuffle broke out between their supporters on Thursday.
The incident comes a day after both the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) had a heated argument outside the Vidhan Bhavan gates. (News18)
A violent scuffle broke out between the supporters of Bharaiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Jitendra Awhad in the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan (legislature complex) on Thursday a day after a heated exchange took place between both the leaders over the opening of a car door, which allegedly escalated to verbal abuse.
A video of the clash has went viral on the social media platforms showing the party workers punching, kicking and hurling abuses at each other the ground floor lobby of the building.
As per the eyewitnesses, the situation escalated briefly before onlookers separated the two groups. Security staff detained a person each from the two groups.
The issue was immediately brought to the notice of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar who has sought a report into the incident and assured that appropriate action will be taken against those responsible.
What’s The Row?
The violent scuffle followed an altercation between Awhad and Padalkar at the entrance of the legislature building on Wednesday when the two were seen exchanging sharp words.
The clash happened when Padalkar exited his car and allegedly slammed the door shut. Awhad accused him of doing it deliberately and claimed that the force could have caused him harm. This led to a heated argument, with both leaders exchanging profanities in full public view, further fueling political tensions.
“I do not know anything about the incident. You can ask him (Awhad), he is sitting in the House. I do not know anyone who was involved. I am really saddened with what occurred. This is an unfortunate incident…I express my regret and apologise….” Padalkar said as quoted by news agency ANI.
#WATCH | A clash occurred outside Maharashtra Assembly between supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad.Gopichand Padalkar says, “I am really saddened with what occurred here. This is an unfortunate incident…I express my regret and… pic.twitter.com/NiUIprNoAf
— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2025
Awhad, a former minister, expressed concern over safety within the legislature complex.
“If MLAs are not safe even inside the Vidhan Bhavan, what is the point of being a public representative? What is our crime? I had just stepped out to get some fresh air. I think they came to attack me,” he claimed.
“I do not want to say anything. If MCOCA accused are coming inside (Assembly) and after the plan to kill me was foiled, they are trying to kill my workers, what can be an action more petty than this? If MCOCA accused can come in and hatch a plan to kill…I had been noticing for the past three days that these same people were watching me…But this has crossed all limits…” he added.
#WATCH | A clash occurred outside Maharashtra Assembly between supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad.Jitendra Awhad says, “I do not want to say anything. If MCOCA accused are coming inside (Assembly) and after the plan to kill me was… pic.twitter.com/D2iRBPeM84
— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2025
Leaders React
Meanwhile, in the assembly, MLAs cutting across party lines spoke about the clash, and expressed concern over overcrowding in the legislature premises.
State’s Culture Minister Ashish Shelar demanded an inquiry into the issuance of passes during the day.
Speaker Narwekar said he has sought a report into the incident, and will take appropriate action.
Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, a member of the legislative council, said such “goon-like behaviour” was completely unacceptable.
“One must ask who authorised the entry of such individuals. Those who issued passes must be investigated. This is a very serious matter, and I urge the chief minister to take strict and immediate action against those involved,” he told reporters.
Vidhan Bhavan is a highly respected institution and its dignity must be upheld at all costs, the former chief minister added.
(With inputs from agencies)
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
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