Mumbai: Urmila Matondkar seeks police protection after Cong-BJP workers clash in Borivali

"Shocked at the blatant violation of code of conduct and hostile acts by BJP workers.. I was constrained to lodge police complaint for my own safety and to save the dignity of my female supporters..," Matondkar tweeted.

Picture tweeted by Urmila Matondkar.

Mumbai: Actor-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar has approached the city police for protection after a poll rally of hers turned violent. She sought police protection after a scuffle ensued between Congress and BJP supporters during her poll campaign in north Mumbai. Matondkar is Congress’ candidate from Mumbai North Lok Sabha constituency. The clash between the workers of the two parties took place near Borivali railway station. BJP has fielded sitting MP Gopal Shetty from the constituency. Matondkar told reporters that she lodged the police complaint for her safety after some BJP workers barged into her rally. She said she was shocked by the "blatant violation" of model code of conduct by the workers of the ruling party and blamed the BJP for "creating fear". The BJP workers chanted slogans outside the Borivali railway station, shouting 'Modi, Modi' as they confronted the Congress workers, an onlooker said. "This is just the beginning and may take a violent turn. I have asked for police protection as there is a threat to my life. I have filed a police complaint," she said. Matondkar said those who "barged" into the rally were not common people, but of the BJP. The common people will not behave in "violent ways" like these persons, she added.

Shocked at the blatant violation of code of conduct and hostile acts by BJP workers.. I was constrained to lodge police complaint for my own safety and to save the dignity of my female supporters.. #AapliMumbaichiMulagi pic.twitter.com/gqPL4DZGOH

— Urmila Matondkar (@OfficialUrmila) April 15, 2019

"Those who confronted our rally indulged in vulgar dancing and used abusive language. May be they wanted to scare the women who were walking near us," she said. She said she was contemplating approaching the Election Commission on the issue. "Shocked at the blatant violation of code of conduct and hostile acts by BJP workers.. I was constrained to lodge police complaint for my own safety and to save the dignity of my female supporters..," Matondkar tweeted. (WATCH ABP MAJHA REPORT BELOW) Matondkar alleged that Gopal Shetty was finding faults in her affidavit submitted to the Election Commission to ensure her nomination gets revoked. She said the truth will come out if the CCTVs installed at the station were properly probed. Speaking to ABP Majha, Matondkar said, "They want to create an atmosphere of fear but I am not going to get afraid of such acts of theirs. The matter is such incidents have never happened in Mumbai earlier and now it's happening under BJP rule?" On the other hand, Gopal Shetty questioned what's the harm in people shouting "Modi Modi"? He said those raising those slogans were rail commuters. He said he will appeal to the police to take action against Congress workers who attacked the commuters. Mumbai goes to polls on April 29 in the fourth phase of the general election. Matondkar, 45, joined the Congress last month. She said she was in it for the long-term and wanted to fight against the politics of hate. (With additional information from PTI)