A video of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad beating a canteen contractor has gone viral on social media, creating fresh controversy in Maharashtra. Gaikwad, who belongs to the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, was staying at the Akashwani MLA residence in Mumbai when the incident happened. The government provides this place for elected MLAs to stay.

According to reports, Gaikwad ordered food from the canteen located on the ground floor of the building. After eating the food, he claimed that the dal (lentils) was of poor quality and made him feel unwell.

Caught on camera: Gaikwad hits the contractor

In the viral video, Gaikwad can be seen wearing a vest and a towel. He calls the canteen contractor and makes him smell the packet of dal. Moments later, he punches the contractor in the face. The punch was so strong that the contractor fell to the ground. As the contractor stood up, Gaikwad slapped him again. After the assault, the MLA can be heard saying, “I taught a lesson apne style se (in my style).”

Speaking to the media after the video spread, Gaikwad said he had complained about the food quality before as well.
"I had complained about the poor quality of food two or three times earlier. This time the food was absolutely unacceptable. I will raise this issue in the ongoing legislative session," PTI quoted him as saying.

MLA says lizards and rats found in food earlier

Gaikwad further said he had been living in the MLA hostel for six years and claimed that unhygienic food was a common problem.
"Eggs are 15 days old, non-veg is 15–20 days old, and vegetables are 2–4 days old. Nearly 5,000–10,000 people eat here, and everyone has the same complaint. Someone has a lizard in their food, and someone has a rat or a rope," the MLA claimed.

He said the dal served on Tuesday was stinking and stale.
"After smelling it, I found it was stale food. I made everyone smell the food, and all of them found it stale. I explained to them (canteen staff) that they should make clean and good food... If they still do not listen, then I have my own way of making them understand," he said.

Sanjay Gaikwad is already known for his controversial statements. Last year, he offered Rs 11 lakh to anyone who would cut off Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s tongue. In the past, he also made insulting comments about Uddhav Thackeray and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.

Reacting to the video, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted,
"Meet Shah Sena's MLA Sanjay Gaikwad... The man is seen beating up a poor, helpless canteen worker. But wait, no news TV outrage here since it's a BJP ally."

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