Despite instructions by Shinde Sena’s top leadership to downplay the shocking incident in Ulhasnagar, where BJP MLA Ganpat Gaikwad opened fire at Shiv Sena’s Mahesh Gaikwad, supporters of Mahesh Gaikwad are openly supporting him in Ganpat Gaikwad’s election constituency of Kalyan East. Large posters supporting the injured Mahesh Gaikwad hailed as the ‘saviour of the poor,’ have been displayed throughout Kalyan East, where both Gaikwads have been working.

"Mahesh Ji, known for helping the poor, has gained widespread popularity, leading to banners in his support. If you see, the displayed posters lack any political party affiliation; they are simple expressions of support from those he has helped,” a local political functionary said. Mahesh Gaikwad serves as the Shinde Sena’s Kalyan East, city chief and is a former corporator of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC). He is closely associated with the Chief Minister and his son, Dr Shrikant Shinde, who serves as a Member of Parliament for the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, encompassing Kalyan (East).