A SHIV Sena leader suffered multiple gunshot wounds and is in critical condition after a BJP MLA fired upon him over a land dispute in Maharashtra’s Thane district, prompting the Opposition to demand Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s resignation, citing deteriorating law and order in the state. Deputy CM and State Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he has ordered a high-level probe to find out what made the MLA open fire and under what circumstances. Kalyan MLA Ganpat Gaikwad of BJP opened fire on Mahesh Gaikwad, the Shindeled Sena’s Kalyan chief, insidethe chamber of the senior inspector of Hill Line police station in Ulhasnagar area onFriday night, Additional Commissioner of Police Dattatrya Shinde told themedia. Talking to the news channel ‘Zee 24 taas’ over the phone before his arrest, Ganpat Gaikwad said that he used the fire arm as his son was beingbeaten at the police station. Chief Minister Eknath Shindeis trying to establish a “kingdom of criminals” in Maharashtra, he alleged.

 

Ulhasnagar falls in the Kalyan parliamentary constituency,represented by CM Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde. BJP and Shinde-led Sena belong to the ruling coalition in Maharashtra. Mahesh Gaikwadwas taken to a local hospital before being shifted to a private medical facility in Thane city. He under went an emergency life-saving surgery and is on a ventilator, said the hospital,addingthat hiscondition is “currently critical”. A team of doctors is monitoring his vitals. According to Additional CP Shinde, Ganpat Gaikwad’s son had come to the police station to lodge a complaint in connection with a land dispute when Mahesh Gaikwad arrived with his men. Later, Ganpat Gaikwad also reached the police station. During an altercation between the MLA and the Senaleader,GanpatGaikwad allegedly fired shots at Mahesh Gaikwad inside the seniorinspector’s chamber, injuring him and his associate Rahul Patil,theofficial said. “Yes,Ishot (him) myself. I have no regrets. If my son is being beaten in front of the police inside the police station, what will I do,” asked Ganpat Gaikwad while talking to a news channel.

 

The BJP MLA alleged that ChiefMinisterEknathShinde is“trying to createa kingdom of criminals in Maharashtra”. Besides Ganpat Gaikwad, the police have also arrested two others. They have been booked under Indian Penal Codesections,including 307 (attempt to murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), said an official. CM SHINDE VISITS HOSPITAL: MAHARASHTRA Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday termed as “very unfortunate” the firing on a ShivSenaleaderallegedlyby aBJP MLA inside a police station in Thane district. “Eknath Shinde on Saturday visited the hospital to enquire about the health of Mahesh Gaikwad. He was apprised by doctors about Gaikwad’s health condition. He wished speedy recovery for Gaikwad,” an official release said. Meanwhile, a court in Thane district remanded BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad to police custody till February 14.