BJP State President Addresses Kalyan East MLA’s Firing Incident: Says Action Will Be Taken If…

Mumbai, 4th February 2024: Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the BJP State President, addressed the recent incident involving the firing by BJP’s Kalyan East MLA Ganpat Gaikwad. Bawankule stated that Gaikwad claims to have fired in self-defence and emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive inquiry to establish the facts surrounding the incident. He underscored that such incidents are not reflective of the cultural norms of the party.

Expressing his concern over the firing incident, Bawankule highlighted its contradiction to the expected behaviour of elected representatives and the cultural values of Maharashtra. He emphasized the importance of preserving the state’s cultural identity, characterizing it as a land of Gods and saints where such incidents should not occur. Bawankule acknowledged that if Gaikwad is found guilty, appropriate action will be taken by the government. However, if Gaikwad is innocent, it needs to be duly considered.

In response to Bawankule’s assertion of self-defence, Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde pointed out the existence of CCTV footage, currently under investigation by the police.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar cautioned against taking the law into one’s own hands and disclosed that discussions with BJP MLA Gaikwad revealed various aspects of the incident. He expressed his intention to raise the issue with Shinde and former Chief Minister Fadnavis. Ajit Pawar stressed the illegality of the accused speaking to the media and highlighted that the exact cause of the incident was yet to be determined, as investigations were ongoing.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal dismissed Supriya Sule’s demand for Fadnavis’ resignation, questioning its rationale and emphasizing the need for discussions with Fadnavis to resolve the case. He pointed out that Fadnavis might not have ordered the firing and expressed optimism about a prompt resolution of the case.