Mumbai: Maharashtra BJP MLA Sunil Kamble has landed in controversy after allegedly assaulting police personnel at a government programme in Pune district. The incident occurred in the presence of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and medical education minister Hasan Musarif who were on the dais.
A purported video of the incident has gone viral on social media. The video shows the BJP MLA allegedly slapping an on-duty constable, who was not in uniform. It is learnt that Kamble was unhappy as his name was not mentioned on the invitation card for the event despite being the local MLA.
Ajit Pawar-led NCP office bearer Jitendra Satav was also allegedly assaulted by the BJP MLA. The leader of the opposition Vijay Wadettiwar slammed the BJP for its MLA’s act stating that it is the arrogance of power.
The incident took place when a transgender ward in Pune's Sassoon Hospital was inaugurated by Pawar, who is also the guardian minister of Pune city. Before assaulting the police personnel, the BJP legislator slapped Jitendra Satav.
Speaking with the reporters, Jitendra Satav said that the MLA misbehaved with him and slapped him in his face. “I don’t know why the MLA’s ego was hurt?” Satav said.
Wadettiwar said that the BJP MLA state home minister Devendra Fadnavis should take cognizance of the incident and act against the legislator for assaulting the policeman.
Responding to the allegations, Kamble said that being an SC category MLA, he has been disregarded by the Pune administration. He also said that he did not assault anyone. “I do not know that he was a policeman. I just removed him (the police) from my way otherwise I would have fallen on him,” he said.
