Tensions flared inside Maharashtra’s Vidhan Bhavan on Thursday as supporters of NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar clashed in the ground-floor lobby, escalating a feud that began with a heated exchange between the two leaders a day earlier. The scuffle, which was briefly intense, was diffused by onlookers, with security detaining one person from each group.

Speaker Rahul Narwekar took serious note, ordering a report to investigate the incident. Awhad, a former minister and Mumbra-Kalwa MLA, raised safety concerns, stating, “If MLAs aren’t safe inside Vidhan Bhavan, why be a public representative? They came to attack me.” Padalkar, representing Jat in Sangli, denied knowledge of the clash, saying, “Ask Awhad, he’s in the House.”

The confrontation follows a Wednesday altercation at the legislature’s entrance, where Awhad accused Padalkar of deliberately slamming his car door, hitting him. A viral video captured their verbal sparring, fueled by Padalkar’s history of criticizing NCP (SP) leaders Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule. Awhad’s earlier “mangalsutra chor” taunt aimed at Padalkar had already heightened tensions.

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Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, condemned the “goon-like behaviour,” demanding a probe into who authorized the entry of those involved. “Vidhan Bhavan’s dignity must be upheld,” he told reporters. Congress MLA Nana Patole echoed the sentiment, calling the incident “inappropriate,” while Culture Minister Ashish Shelar urged an inquiry into pass issuance.

The clash, raising concerns about overcrowding and security, has sparked bipartisan calls for accountability as the assembly session continues.

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