Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Patil Apologises After Threatening To Bomb Protesters In Mumbai
On Thursday, newly defected Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Patil triggered widespread backlash in Mumbai after threatening to bomb Shiv Sena (UBT) protesters and beat up journalists, ultimately forcing him to issue a public apology late in the evening.
Patil, who recently defected from the Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, warned protesters targeting his home. According to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Patil told party workers he would send them straight to the crematorium or hospital.
Patil also referenced a past incident involving his late father, MLA Dina Patil, claiming five people were killed when they made similar attempts against him. Following these remarks, Raut wrote to Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharati, seeking a probe into the past deaths and demanding Patil be booked for murder and arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Later in the day, Patil threatened media persons who sought a quote regarding his defection, stating he would beat them up in front of the police and cameras. In response, journalists boycotted a press conference called by the MP.
The comments drew sharp criticism from the opposition. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray condemned the threats, calling on Patil to resign from his post and contest an election representing the BJP or the Eknath Shinde faction.
CM Devendra Fadnavis urged Shinde to caution Patil against using language and threats that could warrant police action and tarnish the government's image. Speaking to the media in Nagpur, Fadnavis stated that the police would take strict action. Shinde later stated that Patil had agreed to apologise if anyone was hurt, while also blaming Raut for using provocative language against the defected MPs.
Late on Thursday evening, Patil released a video and a written message apologising for his comments, stating the words were inadvertently used in the heat of the moment due to continuous humiliation since joining the Shiv Sena. He also appealed for his family, particularly his late father, to be kept out of the political dispute.
