Last Updated:
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis criticized Shiv Sena legislator’s viral video of slapping a canteen employee, stating that such behavior sends a wrong message.
CM Devendra Fadnavis (PTI photo)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday criticised Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Sanjay Gaikwad over his viral video in which he was seen slapping a canteen employee.
Terming his actions “inappropriate”, Chief Minister Fadnavis stated such behaviour sends wrong message about legislators to public.
“Such conduct does not send right message. MLA Sanjay Gaikwad’s behaviour is inappropriate and creates a negative perception about all legislators among the public,” Chief Minister Fadnavis said.
MLA Sanjay Gaikwad’s behaviour is inappropriate and creates a negative perception about all legislators among the public.आ. संजय गायकवाड यांचे वर्तन भूषणावह नाही, यातून सगळ्या आमदारांबद्दल लोकांमध्ये चुकीची भावना जाते!
(विधानपरिषद, मुंबई | दि. 9 जुलै 2025)#Maharashtra… pic.twitter.com/Cp5JUp42wB
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) July 9, 2025
CM Fadnavis’s reaction came in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Anil Parab who raised the matter in the Maharashtra Assembly, accusing the ruling dispensation of political high-handedness.
“A wrong message goes among people about all MLAs that there is a misuse of power,” the CM said, adding that people can complain formally if there are any issues regarding the quality of the food at the canteen and appropriate actions will be taken.
“But assault by public representatives does not send out the right message. This is a serious issue. You (council chariman Ram Shinde) and Speaker (Rahul Narwekar) take cognisance of it to take further action accordingly,” the CM said in the House.
Sena MLA Gaikwad Thrashes Canteen Staff
MLA Sanjay Gaikwad stoked a fresh row after allegedly assaulting a canteen staff member at the MLA Guest House in Mumbai. He reportedly assaulted the staffer over poor quality of food.
This incident was reported days after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers assaulted a Mira Road shopkeeper for refusing to speak Marathi, triggering a major political slugfest.
It was learnt the Buldhana legislator was unhappy with the quality of food served at the MLA guest house canteen.
Angry over quality of food served to him, the MLA allegedly confronted the staff and, along with others, assaulted one of the canteen employees. The incident was captured on camera and the video soon went viral.
Explaining why he reacted aggressively, MLA Gaikwad said, “Around 9.30 or 10 PM, I went to the canteen for dinner. Most MLAs from rural areas, including myself, stay there. I took varan bhaat to eat, and the moment I took the first bite, it tasted sour. On the second bite, I actually puked. When I smelled it, I realised it was stale food. I confronted the canteen staff and asked if they were serving poison.”
“This is unacceptable, especially when so many MLAs from rural constituencies stay here. This isn’t the first time either — they’ve been serving poor-quality food earlier too, and I’ve confronted them twice before,” he added.
The assault reportedly took place at the state-run guest house where several legislators are staying during the Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Assembly.
view comments
- First Published:
