Who Were Arrested in the Maharashtra Assembly Scuffle?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two arrests made in connection with the Maharashtra Assembly scuffle.
- Incident highlights security concerns for MLAs.
- Political tensions between BJP and NCP(SP) escalate.
- Assembly Speaker emphasizes the need for strict security measures.
- Chief Minister condemns the violence.
New Delhi, July 18 (NationPress) Two individuals have been taken into custody regarding the confrontation that occurred within the Maharashtra Legislature complex, 'Vidhan Bhavan', according to an official statement released on Friday.
The arrests were made by the Mumbai Marine Drive Police Station, identifying the two as Nitin Deshmukh and Rishikesh Takle.
Both individuals are scheduled to appear in the local court later today. They are reportedly supporters of different political parties; Deshmukh backs the NCP(SP), while Takle is aligned with the BJP.
The clash took place between supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP(SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad on the grounds of the Maharashtra Assembly on Thursday.
The altercation occurred in the lobby of the Vidhan Bhavan while legislative sessions were ongoing in both Houses.
Concerns regarding the incident were raised in the Assembly by Awhad, alongside fellow NCP(SP) Legislator Rohit Pawar and BJP member Sanjay Upadhyay, who expressed serious apprehensions about the safety of MLAs within the Vidhan Bhavan.
This confrontation followed an earlier dispute between Padalkar and Awhad outside the Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday. Awhad informed the Assembly of the threats he had received, asserting that BJP supporters had aimed to target him.
"They were here to target me. However, after I had exited the House post-speech, they assaulted my party workers instead," stated the NCP(SP) legislator.
"If you permit thugs into the Assembly, our members are not secure. I posted about this on X and faced significant backlash. After addressing the House, I was directly attacked upon stepping outside for fresh air. Those thugs had come to harm me," Awhad claimed.
Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has requested a comprehensive report regarding the incident, emphasizing, "I will take strict measures in this matter. Ensuring safety in Vidhan Bhavan is my duty, and it shall be enforced. Legislators should not fear for their safety."
Narwekar assured that he would safeguard every MLA and expects a detailed report to be submitted to him.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the incident.