In an embarrassing incident for the NCP-SCP, two of its prominent leaders were caught on camera engaging in a scuffle in the public over the party's manifesto. The incident happened on Sunday at Mumbra in Thane district.
The footage of the brawl which has gone viral shows NCP-SCP leader Jitendra Awhad, former Maharastra housing minister and MLA, entering into a scuffle with Maharashtra minority vice-president Yunus Shaikh.
Though Awhad did not explain the cause of the scuffle, Shaikh later told reporters that he was disappointed with Minority president Shameem Khan. "My disappointment was not with Sharad Pawar but with the party's minority president Shameem Khan. We are calm because of the elections but my issues with Khan persist. Awhad had promised that a new manifesto would be released. This isn't the first time that I have clashed with Ahwad but I always back off thinking about his good work for my community and the development of Mumbra," Shaikh added.
The Mumbra-Kalwa assembly seat is a Muslim majority seat and a stronghold of NCP. Awhad won the seat in 2014 and 2019. But, infightings threaten to derail the party's campaign this year with Shaikh opening a front against Shameem Khan. However, Shaikh added that he had no enmity with Awhad but no goodness for Shameem either.
Local media reports to hint that Shaikh's issues were with Khan and not Awhad, who was only stepping in to avert the clash between the duo.
The Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP has so far announced candidates for over 76 assembly constituencies. The list includes Siddhi Kadam from Mohol (Solapur), Gyayak Patni from Karanja (Washim), Atul Wandile from Hinganghat, Rahul Kalate from Chinchwad, Mohan Jagtap from Mazalgaon, and former minister Ramesh Bang from Hingna.