NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said that there was "a conspiracy is going on" to defame Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as he spoke about the incident of Shiv Sena (Shinde group) MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapping an employee of a canteen at the MLAs' hostel in Mumbai.
"He is not from my party. He is from the Shinde group. I believe a conspiracy is going on to defame the chief minister (Fadnavis). All things are being done deliberately. He (Eknath Shinde) wanted to become chief minister but was not made, so he is waiting impatiently," Uddhav said while talking to reporters in Mumbai.
Earlier, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also reacted sharply to the incident involving Shiv Sena MLA, saying that it sends out a wrong message about all legislators that they indulge in the misuse of power.
"Such a conduct does not behove anyone. It impacts the image of the state legislature and as an MLA," Fadnavis said in the House.
If there are any issues regarding the food at the canteen, one can formally complain about it and action can be taken on this, the CM said.
"A wrong message goes among people about all MLAs that there is misuse of power," 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 a right message. This is serious issue. You (Shinde) and Speaker (Rahul Narwekar) take cognisance of it to take further action accordingly," Fadnavis said.
Also read: 'Doesn't send right message': Devendra Fadnavis slams Sena MLA's 'inappropriate' behaviour
Meanwhile, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde also said that he does not support party MLA Sanjay Gaikwad's act of violence.
"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."
Sena MLA Gaikwad 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, which took place at the Akashvani MLA hostel in Mumbai, has gone viral on social media platforms. In the video, Gaikwad is seen berating the canteen operator, refusing to pay the bill, and slapping the staff member seated at the billing counter.
After the incident, 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.
"He is not from my party. He is from the Shinde group. I believe a conspiracy is going on to defame the chief minister (Fadnavis). All things are being done deliberately. He (Eknath Shinde) wanted to become chief minister but was not made, so he is waiting impatiently," Uddhav said while talking to reporters in Mumbai.
#WATCH | Mumbai: On Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapping a canteen staff over poor food quality, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray says, "He is not from my party. He is from the Shinde group. I believe a conspiracy is going on to defame the Chief Minister. All things are… pic.twitter.com/VReDquyDd1
— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2025
Earlier, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also reacted sharply to the incident involving Shiv Sena MLA, saying that it sends out a wrong message about all legislators that they indulge in the misuse of power.
"Such a conduct does not behove anyone. It impacts the image of the state legislature and as an MLA," Fadnavis said in the House.
If there are any issues regarding the food at the canteen, one can formally complain about it and action can be taken on this, the CM said.
"A wrong message goes among people about all MLAs that there is misuse of power," 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 a right message. This is serious issue. You (Shinde) and Speaker (Rahul Narwekar) take cognisance of it to take further action accordingly," Fadnavis said.
Also read: 'Doesn't send right message': Devendra Fadnavis slams Sena MLA's 'inappropriate' behaviour
Meanwhile, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde also said that he does not support party MLA Sanjay Gaikwad's act of violence.
"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."
VIDEO | Here's what Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde (@mieknathshinde) said on Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad allegedly assaulting a canteen staffer:
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 9, 2025
"He vomited, which angered him, and he reacted that way. Although I don't support violence, if there is any problem, we have the… pic.twitter.com/WKcxIb4wlz
Sena MLA Gaikwad 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, which took place at the Akashvani MLA hostel in Mumbai, has gone viral on social media platforms. In the video, Gaikwad is seen berating the canteen operator, refusing to pay the bill, and slapping the staff member seated at the billing counter.
After the incident, 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.
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