Supporters of Padalkar and Awhad clash inside Maha legislature complex

A day after a heated exchange between NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA Jitendra Awhad and BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar, their supporters were involved in a scuffle in the Vidhan Bhavan (legislature complex) here on Thursday.
The situation escalated briefly before onlookers separated the two groups, an eyewitness said.
Speaking to reporters, Padalkar said, “I do not know anything about the incident. You can ask him (Awhad), he is sitting in the House. I do not know anyone who was involved.”
Awhad, a former minister, expressed concern over safety within the legislature complex.
“If MLAs are not safe even inside the Vidhan Bhavan, what is the point of being a public representative? What is our crime? I had just stepped out to get some fresh air. I think they came to attack me,” he claimed.
The incident followed an altercation between Awhad and Padalkar at the entrance of the legislature building on Wednesday. In a viral video, the two were seen exchanging sharp words.
Awhad, MLA from Mumbra-Kalwa, had claimed that Padalkar intentionally slammed the door of his car after getting down, causing it to hit him. The latter offered no comment on the allegation.
Padalkar, who represents Jat constituency in Sangli district, has been an outspoken critic of NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and MP Supriya Sule. His past remarks against the Pawar family had drawn sharp reactions from NCP (SP) leaders.