BHIWANDI: A major political clash broke out, and police resorted to a lathi-charge following an alleged life-threatening attack on the former mayor and Konark Vikas Aghadi’s victorious candidate, Vilas R Patil, at his bungalow in Bhiwandi.Patil accused BJP MLA Mahesh Chougule’s son, Meet Chougule, and his supporters of carrying out the attack late on Sunday evening.According to Patil and his supporters, the assault was a targeted and premeditated attack, allegedly triggered by political rivalry after Meet Chougule, who contested the election, was defeated by Patil’s son. Following the incident, Patil’s supporters staged a protest by sitting on the road at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, demanding strict action against Meet Chougule.However, BJP MLA Mahesh Chougule strongly denied the allegations and countered that supporters of Vilas Patil were the ones who first attacked his office and engaged in stone-pelting. He claimed that the violence escalated from there, leading to clashes between supporters of both sides. Several supporters from both camps were reportedly injured in the scuffle.As tensions rose outside the BJP MLA’s office, police intervened and resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse Vilas Patil’s supporters from the area.Police said they began recording complaints from both sides late into the night and confirmed that an investigation is underway.DCP Shashikant Borate said that clashes took place between supporters of both parties, and the police used a lathi-charge to bring the situation under control. He added that the situation is now under control and that further investigation is underway.
