In a disturbing incident highlighting the escalating political tensions in Pune, police have taken formal action against a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) worker and his associates for a violent assault on a Shiv Sena leader. The Hadapsar police station registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Thursday against NCP worker Ulhas Tupe and his supporters for allegedly attacking Shiv Sena office-bearer Deepak Kulal.
Background of the Political Rivalry
The roots of this conflict trace back to the recent Pune Municipal Corporation elections, scheduled for January 15. Ulhas Tupe, the accused, was initially affiliated with deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde's faction of the Shiv Sena and had even been allotted a party ticket to contest the polls. However, in a significant political switch, Tupe returned his application form and joined the NCP, led by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, just days before the election. This move set the stage for the subsequent confrontation.
The Incident: A Midnight Assault
According to the complaint filed by Deepak Kulal, the Shiv Sena had established makeshift election offices across the city by converting vehicle containers. One such mobile office in Hadapsar was originally assigned to Tupe during his tenure with the Shiv Sena. Following Tupe's defection to the NCP, party chief Eknath Shinde instructed all units to reclaim possession of offices from those who had left the party.
Acting on these orders, Kulal, accompanied by two other party workers, arrived at the Hadapsar office around 1:30 AM on Thursday to relocate the container to Manjri. "While we were trying to move the container in which the office was being operated, Tupe came to know about it and he, along with other men, came to the spot and attacked us," Kulal recounted to the media. He detailed that while his two companions managed to escape, Tupe and his supporters specifically targeted him, assaulting him and striking his head with a brick.
Police Action and Investigation
Senior police inspector Sanjay Mogale of the Hadapsar police station confirmed that an FIR has been registered under sections pertaining to voluntarily causing grievous hurt, based on Kulal's complaint. "Tupe and others were mentioned in the FIR. Efforts are on to identify the other people involved in the attack," Mogale stated. Despite repeated attempts, Tupe could not be reached for his comments on the allegations.
Political Reactions and Broader Context
The incident has sparked strong reactions from senior Shiv Sena leaders. Neelam Gorhe, a senior Shiv Sena member and deputy chairperson of the legislative council, condemned the attack as heinous and announced her intention to speak with the Pune police commissioner. "This is quite a heinous attack on our party worker. Earlier too, our candidates were targeted and they pointed to certain people who were behind the attack. Had police acted at that time, the attack on Kulal could have been averted," Gorhe asserted. She emphasized that such acts aim to demoralize party workers but vowed that they would not be intimidated, promising to ensure the attackers face legal consequences.
This assault is not an isolated event in Pune's charged political atmosphere. During the campaign for the municipal corporation election, Pramod Bhangire, the Pune city president of Shiv Sena, had previously alleged that stones were pelted at his vehicle in Hadapsar, indicating a pattern of political violence in the area. The FIR against Tupe underscores the ongoing tensions and the challenges in maintaining law and order amid fierce electoral competition.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are working to identify all individuals involved in the attack, while political leaders call for stricter action to prevent further incidents. The case highlights the volatile nature of local politics in Pune, where defections and office disputes can quickly escalate into physical confrontations.
