Fadnavis Slams Shiv Sena MLA For Slapping Canteen Staff: 'Wrong Message Goes Among People'

CM Fadnavis criticized Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad for slapping a canteen employee over stale food, stating it damages the legislature's image and promotes the idea of MLA power abuse.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Source : ABP Live

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday that the incident of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapping a canteen employee at the MLA's hostel in Mumbai sends out a wrong message about all the legislators, that they indulge in the misuse of power. According to news agency PTI, the issue was raised in the legislative council by Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Anil Parab, who accused the ruling party MLA of being high on power and said such incidents also damage the image of CM Fadnavis.

“Such a conduct does not behove anyone. It impacts the image of the state legislature and as an MLA,” CM Fadnavis said in the House.

The Maharashtra CM also said that if there are issues regarding the food at the canteen, one can complain formally about it and that action can be taken on this.

"A wrong message goes among people about all MLAs that there is misuse of power,” CM Fadnavis said.

“I request you (council chairman Ram Shinde) to look into the issue of MLA accommodation. If there are issues there, then action can be taken. But assault by public representatives does not send out the right message. This is a serious issue. You (Shinde) and Speaker (Rahul Narwekar) take cognisance of it to take further action accordingly,” CM Fadnavis said.

Gaikwad allegedly slapped an employee of a canteen at the MLAs hostel in Mumbai after complaining about being served stale food. The incident took place on Tuesday night.

A video of the incident that took place at the Akashvani MLA hostel in Mumbai has gone viral on social media platforms. Gaikwad, in the video, could be seen berating the canteen operator, refusing to pay the bill, and slapping the staff member seated at the billing counter.

The Buldhana MLA said the food served to him was of poor quality, and he will raise the issue during the ongoing session of the Maharashtra legislature.

Reacting on the matter, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said, "He vomited, which angered him, and he reacted that way. Although I don't support violence, if there is any problem, we have the right to take legal action, but beating someone is not right."

(With inputs from PTI.)