Party workers of the Shiv Sena belonging to the former city president and the president came to blows with each other at noon in Shirdi on Sunday.
The two factions — one belonging to city president Sachin Kote and former president Nanak Swatantre — thrashed each other at the venue of a Shiv Sena mela programme in Samrat Lawns in Shirdi.
According to sources in the party, one faction had warned sampark pramukh Suhas Samant not to enter Shirdi. However, after Mr Samant entered the city, the situation turned hostile and members from both groups started fighting with each other.
In the melee, Mr Kote was injured and was rushed to Super Hospital, where he is said to be recuperating. No cases have been registered in the matter, as the issue was amicably resolved among the party members. However, the Shirdi police sent a notice to the party under Bombay Police Act, sources in the Shirdi police said.
Sena leaders, who witnessed the episode included, Bhausaheb Waghchaure, Uttar Shirdi zilla pramukh Rausaheb Khevare, Shekhar Borade, Anil Kokil, Shivaji Thakre and a few others.
Speaking to this newspaper, north Shirdi zilla pramukh Raosaheb Khevare said that there are internal differences among members in all political parties. “The only difference is that we sainiks are not impotent. Our party is dynamic and sitting at the helm of affairs is our leader Uddhav Thackeray. Something did happen, but it is our way of showing strength. Now everything has been settled and we are brothers again,” said Mr Khevare.