'Conspiracy to defame CM': Uddhav Thackeray's tongue-in-cheek jibe at Mahayuti amid row over Shiv Sena MLA's assault video

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray took a dig at the Mahayuti over the assault by a Shiv Sena MLA in Mumbai. (File Photo: PTI)

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday appeared to step up in the defence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, terming the assault of a Mumbai canteen staffer by Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad as a "conspiracy against the CM".

"He (Gaikwad) is not from my party. He is from the (Shiv Sena president Eknath) Shinde group. I believe a conspiracy is going on to defame the Chief Minister. All things are being done deliberately," Uddhav told reporters in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Uddhav's remarks, however, were laced with sarcasm as he sought to shift the focus to the internal dynamics of the Mahayuti, particularly the relationship between the BJP and Shiv Sena.

#WATCH | Mumbai: On Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapping a canteen staff over poor food quality, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray says, "He is not from my party. He is from the Shinde group. I believe a conspiracy is going on to defame the Chief Minister. All things are… pic.twitter.com/VReDquyDd1— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2025

"He (Eknath Shinde) wanted to become chief minister but was not made, so he is waiting impatiently," the former Maharashtra CM said, referring to the tussle over government formation within the NDA following its victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Shinde, who served as the Chief Minister of the state after engineering a split in the Shiv Sena that led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government, was seen sulking after the top BJP leadership decided to reward Fadnavis for leading the party to its best ever performance in the last 50 years.

Uddhav's remarks came amid a raging controversy over a video that showed Shiv Sena's Buldhana MLA Gaikwad slapping, punching and kicking a staffer at the Akashvani MLA canteen in Mumbai's Churchgate, allegedly over the poor quality of food served to him.

When confronted by the media after the video went viral, the legislator expressed no regret over his high-handedness and went on to brag that he was a "warrior", a "judo, karate, wrestling and gymnastics champion" and would do it again if required.

Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis addressed the issue in the state legislative council after it was raised by Anil Parab, an MLC from Shiv Sena (UBT). The Chief Minister responded saying that such conduct by an MLA was not right.

"I have seen that video. Such an act undermines the dignity of the House and all MLAs. We came to know that the facilities were not up to the mark, the food was stale. Whatever it is, one can register a complaint. I request you (Chair) to deal with it independently. But for a public representative to assault someone, and a video circulating, sends a wrong message among the people," he said, adding that misusing power and such conduct as an MLA is not right.

Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also spoke out on the incident and said that the matter could have been dealt with through legal means and resorting to violence could not be justified.

"We are representatives of the people and we have some responsibility. I condemn Gaikwad's action. I have told him that it's wrong to slap someone," Shinde said.