Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's hometown witnessed an ugly tussle between his Shiv Sena and the Shiv Sena (UBT) activists each trying to grab a local 'shakha' (branch) of the party late on Monday.
The Vartak Nagar Police rushed to the Shivainagar to intervene in the minor scuffle and managed to peacefully disperse the crowds as 'holika dahan' was celebrated with joy in the vicinity.
The activists of the two rival factions converged at the Shivainagar 'shakha' set up by the Shiv Sena attempting to establish their supremacy over it, in view of the upcoming civic elections.
The 'shakha' is currently being controlled by ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) but the rival Shiv Sena members allegedly attempted to install their banner and take it over.
The fracas saw some jostling among the two factions, a high-decibel slogan-shouting and condemnation on both sides for nearly an hour before the police calmed them and the groups went their ways.
Late in the night, a video of the ruckus outside the 'shakha' went viral with police patiently separating them and later clearing up the crowds.
Earlier, the Shiv Sena had taken over the party offices in the Maharashtra legislature and parliament, and is said to be coveting other establishments and offices in different parts of the state.
However, the iconic Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar, Mumbai - which belongs to a family trust of the Thackerays' - is retained by Sena (UBT), and the Shinde faction set up a new Central Office in Thane last month.
Founded by the late Balasaheb Thackeray, the Shiv Sena had set up over 160 local neighbourhood 'shakhas' in Mumbai, and many more in its strongholds in Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Palghar and other districts to interact directly with the local population.
These local branches - run by a powerful 'Shakha Pramukh' - tried to solve people's grievances with the local or state governments and also proved a success to the party for winning various elections, and many 'Shakha Pramukhs' later rose to become important party functionaries, elected to civic bodies, assembly and parliament.
Commercial LPG cylinder prices cut by Rs 41 in relief for businesses
In a big relief for industries and businesses that rely heavily on cooking fuel, oil marketing companies on Tuesday announced a price cut of Rs 41 on commercial LPG gas cylinders (19 kilograms).
Yunus statement on northeastern states offensive, condemnable: Assam CM Sarma
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the statement of Bangladesh interim government’s chief advisor Muhammad Yunus regarding the seven states of northeast is offensive and condemnable.
Amazing, just amazing: Sunita Williams answers how India looked from space
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams, days after landing on Earth following her extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), recalled her awe-inspiring experiences of viewing India from space during a press conference.
CM launches meal services at Rs 10 at GB Pant Hospital
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today launched mid-day meal services for the patients’ families at Rs 10 in Agartala Government Medical College and GB Pant Hospital.
State’s tallest govt office building to be completed by 2026: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that for the first time in state, a G+14 type multi-storey building is being built in the Gurkhabasti area of Agartala, Tripura, which is expected to be completed by 2026.
India committed to sustainable energy through nuclear power: PM Modi
He said this while sharing an article by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh, where he discusses how the country is set to substantially increase nuclear energy production.
CJI-led Bench to hear PIL against Places of Worship Act 1991 on Tuesday
The Supreme Court is slated to hear, on Tuesday, a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutional validity of a provision of the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
Maoist leader Renuka with Rs 5 lakh bounty, killed in Chhattisgarh encounter
Renuka, also known as Banu, Chaitey, and Saraswati, a prominent member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, an entity of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), was killed in an encounter on Monday in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.