KALYAN: Dombivli witnessed a violent clash between Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers late Monday night in the Tukaram Nagar area, escalating political tensions ahead of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation elections. During the incident, a life-threatening attack was allegedly carried out on Omnath Natekar, the husband of BJP’s Panel No. 29 candidate Arya Natekar. He sustained serious injuries and has been admitted to a private AIMS Hospital in Dombivli, where he is currently undergoing treatment.Apart from Omnath Natekar, two other BJP workers and one Shiv Sena office-bearer sustained minor injuries in the altercation.According to BJP leaders, the incident occurred when Omnath Natekar arrived at a housing society in the Tukaram Nagar area along with three to four supporters to attend a meeting related to election campaigning.During the meeting, Shiv Sena candidate Nitin Patil and his supporters allegedly confronted the BJP workers. BJP leaders claim that Nitin Patil and his supporters were seen threatening BJP office-bearers asking to not go inside building for meeting, following which the situation turned violent.BJP has alleged that Nitin Patil, his brother Ravi Patil, along with their family members and several supporters, attacked Omnath Natekar after accusing him of distributing money. When Natekar denied the allegation and asked them to provide proof or money, the argument escalated into a physical assault, leaving him severely injured and bleeding.Following the incident, BJP office-bearers gathered outside the Dombivli police station and staged a protest, demanding strict action against the accused. Based on the complaint, the Dombivli police registered a case of attempted murder under BNS Act Section 109 against Shiv Sena candidates Nitin Patil and Ravi Patil both contesting election from same panel, along with Roshan Ravi Patil, Yash Nitin Patil, and three other individuals.Meanwhile, Shiv Sena candidate Nitin Patil has denied the allegations of assault and claimed that BJP office-bearers had come to the area to distribute money as part of election inducements. He alleged that he and his supporters were only trying to stop the BJP workers, which led to the confrontation.It is noteworthy that although Shiv Sena and BJP are contesting the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation elections as allies, both parties are contesting separately in Panel No. 29. This has resulted in frequent confrontations between workers of the two parties. Just a day earlier, Shiv Sena had accused BJP office-bearers in the same panel of distributing money to voters.The incident has further intensified political tensions in the area, prompting increased police vigilance ahead of the civic polls.
