After Sena MLA's slapgate, MVA leaders protest against 'chaddi-baniyan' government

Days after a video of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad thrashing a canteen contractor went viral, the Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday witnessed high drama as opposition leaders turned up wearing 'chaddi-baniyan' (shorts and vests) to protest what they called a "chaddi-baniyan gang government".

The protest came in the wake of Gaikwad, a legislator from the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, being caught on camera assaulting the canteen manager at an MLA residence in Mumbai. The MLA, wearing only a vest and towel, was seen punching and slapping the contractor over the alleged poor quality of food served to him.

Led by Aaditya Thackeray and other leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, opposition MLAs arrived at the Vidhan Bhavan on Tuesday draped in 'gamchas' and vests, mocking what they described as the government’s 'dadagiri' (bullying) culture.

"This chaddi-baniyan gang resorts to muscle power and intimidation. They manhandle people, they assault staff, and the Chief Minister must rein in his gang or his own image will be ruined," said Aaditya Thackeray, MLA from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).

The controversy began earlier this month when Gaikwad, a two-term MLA from Buldhana, got into an altercation over food served at the government-run canteen at the Akashwani MLA quarters. Gaikwad, unhappy with the quality of dal and rice, stormed into the canteen in a vest and towel, made the canteen contractor smell the food, and then slapped and punched him.

In the viral video, Gaikwad is seen berating the contractor, refusing to pay, and boasting that he had taught him a lesson "apne style se (in my style)". A day later, Gaikwad again defended his actions and warned he would not hesitate to repeat it.

Soon after the video drew widespread condemnation, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denounced the act, saying such behaviour sends a "wrong message" about legislators misusing their power.

"Such conduct does not behove anyone. It impacts the image of the state legislature and as an MLA...a wrong message goes among people about all MLAs that there is misuse of power," Fadnavis said.

Even Shinde distanced himself from Gaikwad's actions. "I have told Sanjay Gaikwad that his actions were inappropriate. I will not endorse his actions. If something wrong is happening, there can be legal action but beating up people is inappropriate," Shinde said.

- Ends