Mumbai: Nearly 60 supporters of Shiv Sena's Member of Parliament (MP) from Amravati, Anand Adsul, barged into the Times of India office in south Mumbai yesterday afternoon and destroyed the furniture, fittings and computers at the newspaper group's reception area.
Adsul's supporters were upset with the publication of a speculative report in the Times group's Marathi daily Maharashtra Times that the MP would join the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The Shiv Sena distanced itself from the attack and suggested that those who attacked were Adsul's supporters and not Sainiks. "The Shiv Sena has nothing to do with the attack. Adsul's son Abhijit has himself stated that those who indulged in the attack are not Shiv Sainiks," Sena MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut said.
Police have, meanwhile, arrested 16 men in connection with the incident.
State Home Minister R.R. Patil condemned the incident and said the police would initiate stringent action against those behind the attack — including the leader who ordered the attack.
Incorrect
"[About] 50 to 60 supporters stormed the office, demanding an apology from the newspaper for publishing an incorrect story. They damaged furniture, fittings, computers and flower pots kept in the reception area," a newspaper official said.
The news report proved to be incorrect as it was former Shiv Sena MP and Congress party's current Hingoli district Congress president, Shivajirao Mane, who joined the Sharad Pawar-led party yesterday.
"The newspaper report tarnished my 40-year-long career in politics. They should have taken my version before putting out the story," Adsul said, while admitting that those behind the attack were his supporters.
The speculation followed a vague statement by Maharashtra NCP president Madhukar Pichad on Friday that an MP who was also the president of a party would join the NCP. Pichad had not mentioned the name of the leader.
Meanwhile, the Press Club, Mumbai, and action committee of Mediapersons against Attacks on Journalists condemned the incident.
