High drama unfolded at the Kharghar police station in Navi Mumbai on Saturday following a public confrontation between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters and an independent candidate. The incident, which was captured on video and spread rapidly across social media platforms, involved the alleged forceful eviction of former corporator Netra Patil from a community program.
Event Sparks Political Confrontation
The get-together was organized by the Khandeshchi Rahivasi Sangh and Khandesh Vikas Foundation at a mutt located next to a Gurudwara in Kharghar. These events, common during election periods, often involve politicians sponsoring free meals for attendees. This particular gathering saw the presence of BJP leaders, including MLA Mahesh Baldi and the party's candidates, though notably, no party banners were displayed.
Netra Patil, who recently resigned from the BJP and is now campaigning independently, was a regular attendee of such programs. She was present at the event and had taken a seat on the stage, with a few of her supporters among the crowd. Organizers and BJP supporters reportedly asked her to step down from the stage, but she refused to comply.
Allegations of Force and Political Motives
The situation escalated when BJP supporters allegedly dragged and forcibly removed Patil from the program. Following the altercation, her supporters gathered at the Kharghar police station, though no formal complaint was filed. In her statement, Patil accused the event organizers of misusing the platform to influence voters. "The event was wrongly used to influence the region's people to garner votes," she alleged. "As I did not get down from the stage they threatened me and my supporters. I am campaigning in a peaceful manner."
She further questioned the contributions of other leaders on the stage to the Khandesh region. It also emerged that the event was organized without obtaining necessary police permission.
Aftermath and Police Response
The controversy had immediate ripple effects. A similar event organized for the Vidarbha region community on Sunday saw a noticeably lower turnout, attributed directly to the previous day's clash. When contacted, ACP Vikram Kadam of Kharghar stated, "No complaint has been lodged with my office but the issue will be looked into."
The incident highlights the tense and charged atmosphere on the ground as election campaigning intensifies, with public events becoming flashpoints for political rivalry.
