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Shiv Sena MLA loses cool over dal quality, assaults canteen operator in heated dispute; video sparks outrage.An incident at the Akashwani MLA residence sparked controversy as Sanjay Gaikwad alleged that the poor-quality food, especially the dal, made him feel unwell shortly after eating.
Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has sparked controversy after a video surfaced showing him thrashing a canteen operator at the Akashwani MLA hostel in Mumbai.
Gaikwad was reportedly furious over the quality of dal served to him. He later stated that he would raise the issue during the Assembly session. The incident has gone viral, adding to the growing list of videos highlighting the misconduct of politicians in Maharashtra.
Gaikwad, a two-time legislator from Buldana, was residing at the Akashwani MLA quarters, a government-provided accommodation for lawmakers.
Sources said that the MLA, belonging to the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, had placed a food order from the canteen situated on the ground floor.
Gaikwad alleged that the food—particularly the dal—was of poor quality, and he began feeling unwell soon after consuming it.
In the video, Gaikwad, dressed in a vest with a towel wrapped around his waist, is seen confronting the canteen contractor. He then forces the contractor to smell the packet containing the dal.
Moments later, the MLA punches the contractor in the face with such force that he falls to the ground. As the contractor struggles to get back on his feet, the MLA slaps him again.
Following the incident, the MLA can be heard saying that he had taught the contractor a lesson “apne style se” (in my own style).
As the video quickly went viral, the Buldhana MLA defended his actions, claiming that the food served to him was of poor quality and vowing to raise the matter in the Assembly session.
I had earlier complained about the poor quality of food two or three times. However, this time, the food was completely unacceptable. I will raise this issue in the ongoing legislative session,” Gaikwad said, as quoted by PTI.
The incident sparked widespread outrage, prompting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to condemn the behaviour. “Such actions are unacceptable and not in keeping with the dignity of the position,” Fadnavis said. “Gaikwad’s conduct has tarnished the image of all legislators.”
Frequently in the Spotlight for Controversy
The Sena MLA has often found himself at the center of controversy. Last year, he sparked outrage by announcing a reward of ₹11 lakh to anyone who would cut off Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s tongue, leading to a case being filed against him.
Previously, he has also drawn criticism for making derogatory remarks against Uddhav Thackeray and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.
Targeting the Shiv Sena over the incident, Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi took to Twitter and wrote, “Meet Shah Sena’s MLA Sanjay Gaikwad—the man caught assaulting a poor, helpless canteen worker. But of course, no outrage on news channels since he belongs to a BJP ally.”
‘Lizards and Rats Found in Food’
Speaking to the media, Gaikwad defended himself, saying he had been living at the MLA hostel for the past six years, and incidents of lizards and rats being found in the canteen food had occurred earlier too.
“The eggs served here are over 15 days old, the meat is stored for 15 to 20 days, and the vegetables are at least 2 to 4 days old. Nearly 5,000 to 10,000 people eat here daily, and complaints are endless—some have found lizards in their food, others have discovered rats or even pieces of rope,” the Sena MLA alleged.
Describing Tuesday’s incident, he said, “The food was completely stale, and the dal had a foul, unbearable stench.”
“After smelling it, I realized the food was stale. I asked everyone else to smell it too, and they all agreed it was spoiled. I then explained to the canteen staff that they should serve clean and fresh food. If they still don’t listen, I have my own ways of making them understand,” Gaikwad said.
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