MiD DAY's report on Shiv Sena members allegedly causing loss to a Shiv Vada Pav stall owner sparks a free-for-all

Following MiD DAY's report on a Shiv Vada Pavu00a0 stall owner complaining to a Shiv Sena leader about two party workers causing her loss, opposing camps of Sainiks crossed swords with each other on Friday night over leaking the story to media.


The MiD DAY report on January 31

A Sainik, who was suspected of the deed, has registered a complaint with VP Road police station against others for assaulting him.

On January 31 MiD DAY had published an article ('Shiv Vada Pav turns sour for stall owner') about how a vada pav stall owner, who is a Shiv Sainik, had complained to a senior party leader about two party workers who allegedly owed her money for placing a bulk order and cancelling it later.

Reportedly, Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray was supposed to attend a function at Girgaum on January 9.

So, an order of 1,200 vada pavs was placed with Shobha Manjrekar, which was later cancelled. When Manjrekar asked for the Rs 8, 200 for the vada pavs, Shakha Pramukh Santosh Mane allegedly abused and threatened her.

Whodunnit

When the party probed Manjrekar, she denied having spoken to the media about the incident.

According to party sources, the junior Thackeray then called a meeting on Friday at 8.15 pm at the Sena's Girgaum Shakha to find out who had given away the story.

Under the guidance of Vibhag Pramukh Pandurang Sakpal, one of the workers Manjrekar had complained against, more than 150 Sainiks including 10 shakha pramukhs gathered for the meeting.

They suspected Samir Vedak, the president of Maharashtra Feriwala Sena Sangh, of talking to the media, and began questioning him.

Vedak is an RTI activist When Vedak categorically denied the allegation, some Sainiks, including shakha pramukhs Santosh Shinde and Santosh Veer, from Cheera Bazaar and Colaba, attacked him.
u00a0
His followers fought back. Within a matter of minutes, cops reached the spot and the opposing groups scampered to shut the Shakha.

Later, Vedak was taken to JJ hospital. He registered a complaint (copy available with MiD DAY) with VP Road police station.

"When Shinde and Veer attacked me, my supporters attacked them back.

I have suffered injuries on my legs, hands, face and chest and have registered a police complaint," Vedak said. "They suspect that I had leaked the vada pav story to the media. I have not."

Said Sakpal, "This is a minor incident and the dispute has been settled. It doesn't deserve to be talked about."