Special Correspondent
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Sanjay Gaikwad allegedly assaulted a canteen worker at the MLA residence in Mumbai after being served substandard food. Gaikwad expressed no regret for his actions, raising concerns about the quality of food served to the public if even elected representatives receive such meals.
Speaking to the media, Gaikwad explained that he typically eats dinner around 10 PM. On the night of the incident, he ordered varan bhat (lentil-rice) and poli (flatbread) around 9-9:30 PM. Upon taking his first bite, he found the food spoiled, which caused him to vomit after the second bite. He discovered that the varan was completely rotten. Gaikwad claimed that the canteen staff had repeatedly served him poor-quality food in the past, despite prior warnings to the canteen management.
He further alleged that the canteen, which serves 5,000 to 10,000 people daily, was endangering lives by providing rotten and substandard food. “The food was utterly filthy, and my anger got the better of me, reflecting my true nature,” Gaikwad said, defending his actions.
Gaikwad stressed that serving substandard food at the MLA residence canteen was unacceptable and tantamount to playing with people’s lives. He announced plans to lodge a complaint with the Food and Drug Administration and raise the issue in the state legislative assembly.
Taking a dig at the Uddhav Thackeray faction and Sanjay Raut, Gaikwad recalled a past incident where former MP Rajan Vichare, from the same faction, had allegedly forced flatbread into a canteen worker’s mouth in the Parliament canteen over poor food quality. Gaikwad questioned Raut’s criticism of him, asking if Raut had forgotten Vichare’s actions, especially since they occurred during Ramadan and involved a Muslim worker.
