Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday distanced himself from Sanjay Gaikwad, the MLA caught on camera assaulting a canteen staff member at a government residence in Mumbai. Thackeray claimed that Gaikwad belongs to the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena and alleged that the incident is part of a larger conspiracy to malign the image of the Maharashtra Chief Minister.
“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 being done deliberately,” Thackeray said. Taking a direct swipe at Shinde, he added, “He wanted to become chief minister but was not made, so he is waiting impatiently.”
The incident, which has triggered widespread criticism, took place at the Akashwani MLA residence in Mumbai. A video that has now gone viral shows Gaikwad, a two-time legislator from Buldhana, dressed casually in a vest and towel, berating and then physically assaulting a canteen contractor over allegedly poor-quality food.
Gaikwad is seen making the contractor smell a food packet—reportedly containing dal—and seconds later, landing a hard punch on his face, followed by a slap. The contractor falls to the ground, and as he attempts to stand up, Gaikwad strikes him again. The MLA is later heard saying that he taught the staffer a lesson “apne style se (in my style).”
Gaikwad defended his actions, claiming the food made him unwell and that he had complained about its quality multiple times in the past. “This time, the food was absolutely unacceptable. I will raise this issue in the ongoing legislative session,” he told PTI.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the act, stating, “Such behaviour is unacceptable and not honourable. Gaikwad’s action as an MLA has tarnished the reputation of all legislators.”