Anil Kadam, Shiv Sena MLA from Niphad of Nasik district submitted his resignation to party chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday at Ozar airport when Mr Thackeray was on tour to Shirdi. He has not taken any decision yet on the resignation. “I will check the matter and then take decision,” he told the media at Shirdi.
A senior party leader said on condition of anonymity that it would help the party’s image if the resignation is accepted.
Mr Kadam has been accused of abusing a woman employee at Pimpalgaon toll plaza near Nasik on Thursday. He allegedly used abusive language with the toll employees. The toll collection tender is allotted to Larsen and Toubro (L&T) on Mumbai-Agra national highway no. 6. It is the only women operated toll plaza in India.
The incident took place when Mr Kadam refused to pay the toll tax. Sources said he was travelling with his supporters in a private vehicle to a place in his constituency. When toll tax was demanded, he refused to pay it. A verbal altercation started after the employees asked for his identity card for exemption. He went on rampage, broke computers and vandalized the tollbooth.
A local private channel aired the video footage.
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GJM: Free arrested members
PARWEZ HAFEEZ
KOLKATA, AUG. 24
In an apparent softening of stand, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha on Saturday agreed to take part in the GTA election on September 4 if all the arrested GTA members were released. The GJM chief Bimal Gurung had resigned as the chief executive of the GTA on July 30, triggering a fresh wave of agitation for a separate Gorkhaland. Mr Gurung and the Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee had repeatedly voiced their disillusionment with the GTA claiming that it had lost its relevance. However, the Mamata Banerjee government put the GJM leadership in a dilemma by announcing September 4 as the date for fresh GTA election to elect Mr Gurung’s successor. Earlier on Saturday, GJM town committee general secretary Raju Pradhan had announced in a rally at Chowkbazar that his party would not take part in the GTA election on September 4. However, a little later, Mr Gurung said that the GJM could participate provided the arrested members were released.