BJP MLA arrested for shooting at Shinde’s Sena leader over land

Thane, February 3

A BJP MLA has been arrested for allegedly shooting and injuring a leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena over a land dispute in Maharashtra’s Thane district, officials said on Saturday.

Kalyan MLA Ganpat Gaikwad of the BJP opened fire on Mahesh Gaikwad, the Shiv Sena chief of Kalyan, inside the chamber of the senior inspector of Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar area on Friday night, Additional Commissioner of Police Dattatrya Shinde told the media.

Talking to the the media before his arrest, Ganpat said he used the firearm as his son was being beaten at the police station. “Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is trying to establish a kingdom of criminals in Maharashtra,” he alleged.

Mahesh was taken to a local hospital before being shifted to a private medical facility in Thane city. “He underwent surgery, which was successful,” said Gopal Landge, Kalyan in-charge of Sena.

According to the Additional Commissioner of Police, Ganpat’s son had come to the police station to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh arrived with his men. Later, Ganpat also reached the police station.

During an altercation between the MLA and the Sena leader, Ganpat allegedly fired shots at Mahesh inside the senior inspector’s chamber, injuring him and his associate, the official said.

“Yes, I shot at him myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten inside the police station, what else will I do?” said Ganpat while talking to a news channel. He claimed that he fired five rounds.