Mumbai: A scuffle broke out between the Congress party workers and a group of commuters who shouted slogans in support Narendra Modi during the Urmila Matondkar’s election campaign on Monday morning at Borivli.
The incident occurred when Matondkar and Congress workers were campaigning in Borivli, when suddenly 15-20 Bhartiya Janata party (BJP) workers began shouting slogans against her. She has filed a police complaint and asked for police protection.
In her complaint, Matondkar said they made vulgar gestures and danced in front of her and other women. The workers ran to their side to protect them from this group and a fight broke out between the two political groups. Matondkar said that she was shocked by the incident and approached the police for protection. She has been given police protection for 24 hours. Media questioned Matondkar over the incident.
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As seen in the video about the incident that went viral, the men who were thrashed by the Congress workers were office goers with their bags. Matondkar said, “Gopal Shetty feeds a few reporters.” She also alleged, “Recently, Shetty visited the Election Commissioner’s office where he asked the officials to look out for errors and cancel my nomination.”
Speaking to the Free Press Journal, Shetty said that he had seen the viral video and it clearly shows the culprit. “One can clearly see how the common people and office goes were thrashed just for shouting the name of Modiji during her rally,” alleged Shetty.
Shetty gave a piece of advice to Matondkar and the Congress workers that they need to learn from Rahul Gandhi. “He had also faced a similar situation in his rallies, but he never got excited or frustrated like Congress workers in Borivli, Mumbai. His supporters have never beaten the public,” said Shetty.
Shetty defended the people who he claimed were Modi supporters. “Modiji has a huge fan following and some may have shouted his name that doesn’t mean Congress should behave in this manner and beat them up. I have always told I respect women and I respect Urmilaji too. I will fight on the basis of merit only,” said Shetty.
Shetty also slammed Matondkar for accusing him of speaking with the EC officials. “Urmilaji should know everything is videographed in the EC office. So, there is no question of speaking against her, but still, for her satisfaction she can go and check the footage,” claimed Shetty.
Sangram Nishandar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, zone 11, said no case has been registered. “We have received no complaint as yet. However, if anyone comes over to lodge a complaint, action would be taken by the GRP since the incident took place in their jurisdiction. We have given 24 hours protection to Urmila Matondkar, which can be extended on her request,” said Nishandar.
