Mumbai: Shiv Sena-MNS workers clash as candidates file papers

Mumbai, Apr 3: Large number of Shiv Sena and MNS workers clashed on Thursday outside the Old Custom House in South Mumbai when respective party candidates Arvind Sawant and Aditya Shirodkar reached there to file their nominations.

Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena filed his papers from Mumbai South and Shirodkar contesting on MNS ticket filed his nomination from Mumbai South Central.

According to police, atleast 300 workers of both parties came to blows, hit each other with flag sticks, shouted slogans and pelted stones and empty bottles.

In the melee, a cameraman of a Marathi news channel suffered head injuries after being hit by a broken bottle and had to be hospitalised. Atleast 12 Sena and MNS workers were detained after the clash, police said.

Shiv Sena MP Anil Desai and Sawant blamed MNS for the incident. They condemned violence and demanded a probe into it. Sawant alleged that the clash was "planned" and sought to know how bottles were carried by MNS workers into the area.

Also, Desai, along with former BJP MLA Raj Purohit and Sena leader Pandurang Satpal, met Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria and apprised him about the incident and alleged that the incident was pre-meditated by the opponents.

However, MNS MLA Nitin Sardesai said the incident was "unfortunate" and could have been avoided. Apart from Sawant, Meera Sanyal of AAP and Prakash Reddy of CPM contesting from Mumbai South also filed their nomination.

In suburban Mumbai, BJP candidates Kirit Somaiya contesting from Mumbai North East and Poonam Mahajan in fray from Mumbai North Central, also filed their papers.

PTI