Mahesh Gaikwad, leader in Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.
Credit: Facebook/Mahesh Gaikwad
Ulhasnagar (Thane District): In a sensational and shocking incident, a BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad opened fire inside the Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar in Thane district and injured Mahesh Gaikwad, a leader of the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday night - a development that snowballed into a major political issue in Maharashtra.
Mahesh Gaikwad, a former corporator from Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation and the Shiv Sena unit President of the township, and Rahul Patil, who were injured, were initially admitted to Mira Hospital and later shifted to Jupiter Hospital in Thane city.
While Patil, who got two bullet injuries, is out of danger, Mahesh Gaikwad - who sustained six gunshot wounds - is seriously injured and has been put on a ventilator on Saturday afternoon.
The incident took place between 9.30 pm to 9.45 pm on Friday evening.
The sprawling Ulhasnagar suburbs are located around 60 kms away from downtown Mumbai along the Central Railway line.
Incidentally, Thane is the stronghold of Shinde.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has demanded the resignation of BJP’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio.
The issue also reflects differences among the cadres of the Maha Yuti comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Heated arguments over a property dispute led to the fallout, according to initial investigations.
Ganpat Gaikwad, a three-time MLA from Kalyan East, has been arrested by the Thane police.
The two other arrested accused are Harshal Nana Kene and Sandeep Anant Sarwankar.
A local court in Thane remanded them to police custody till 14 February.
Incidentally, the Kalyan Vidhan Sabha constituency falls under Thane Lok Sabha seat, which is represented by Shrikant Shinde, the son of the chief minister.
Over the past few months, there have been statements and counter-statements among leaders of the two parties - Shiv Sena and BJP.
While Shinde Senior has not commented so far, Ajit Pawar has taken serious exception to the incident and had apparently spoken to Fadnavis over the issue.
The incident took place in the Hill Lines police station inside the chamber of Anil Jagtap.
Ganpat Gaikwad’s son had come to the police station to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived along with his men. Later, Ganpat Gaikwad also reached the police station.
During an altercation, Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly fired shots at Mahesh Gaikwad and injured him badly.
The gunshots were heard by the crowd which had assembled outside the police station.
At least 10 rounds have been fired, police officials said.
“We have lodged an FIR and investigations are in progress,” Additional Commissioner of Police Dattatreya Shinde said.
“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,” said Ganpat Gaikwad as he was taken into custody. “The chief minister is trying to establish a kingdom of criminals in Maharashtra,” he said and added that wherever he is doing work in his area, Dr Shrikant Shinde is putting up banners and hoardings claiming credit.
Ganpat Gaikwad went on to add further: “Shinde saheb betrayed Uddhav Thackeray saheb, he will also betray BJP… he owes me crores of rupees. Shinde should resign if Maharashtra is to be well-managed. This is my humble request to Fadnavis saheb and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Under fire from all quarters, Fadnavis ordered a probe by a Special investigation team (SIT), which will be led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Nilesh Sonawane.
Heavy police deployment has been made in Ulhasnagar, Kalyan and parts of Thane city.
Shinde and his son visited the Jupiter Hospital and inquired about the health of Mahesh Gaikwad and Patil. "While Mahesh Gaikwad is in ICU and put on a ventilator. Surgery was conducted and six bullets were extracted. He is serious. Rahul Patil too is in ICU. We will make all efforts to ensure that both of them recover and are okay," he said.
He said that the CCTV footage of the incident is also available and action must be taken accordingly.