Clash Erupts Between Awhad and Padalkar Supporters Inside Maharashtra Assembly; Sanjay Raut Calls for President’s Rule

A violent clash broke out on Thursday inside the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly premises between supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jitendra Awhad. The altercation led to chaos, with pushing, shouting, and clothes being torn in the presence of security personnel during the ongoing monsoon session.
Jitendra Awhad alleged that his supporters were physically assaulted and claimed he had already informed the authorities about threats from Padalkar’s camp. He questioned how MLAs could function if such violence could occur inside the Assembly complex.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “gang war” and a black mark on Maharashtra’s political culture. He slammed the BJP-led government and demanded the imposition of President’s Rule in the state, citing a complete breakdown of law and order. Raut also accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of maintaining silence during this serious incident.
Meanwhile, Gopichand Padalkar distanced himself from the scuffle, saying he was unaware of what happened and that the law would take its own course.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism and raised serious concerns about security and discipline within the state legislature.