NCP meet in Chembur takes violent turn

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik on Tuesday night alleged that former party MP Sanjay Dina Patil and a gang of unidentified men carrying arms and swords had barged into a meeting he was addressing in Chembur, and attempted to target him and his men. Malik alleged that Dina Patil took out two pistols, and demanded his removal from the party.

The Mumbai police, however, maintained that while a scuffle did break out between party members at the meeting, no firing had taken place. Deputy Commissioner of Police and Mumbai Police spokesperson, Ashok Dudhe, said, "A scuffle broke out during the meet. No one took out a weapon".

Sources say the scuffle broke out over the appointment of a ward-level candidate for the upcoming civic polls. Dina Patil alleged that it was Nawab Malik's supporters who attacked his men, and denied the allegations levelled against him.

"There was no firing at the meeting. Malik's supporters attacked me," said Patil.

Both the leaders and their supporters were at Deonar police station till late Tuesday night.