BJP’s Ashish Shelar leaves ground, denies he was heckled

Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) city unit chief Ashish Shelar allegedly had to leave Azad Maidan after being heckled by protestors soon after his arrival there on Wednesday to participate in the Maratha protest rally. However, Mr Shelar’s office denied he had been heckled and left the ground early because the Assembly session was about to start.

It is believed protesters made Mr Shelar the traget of their ire because they were agitated due to what they saw as Maharashtra government’s delaying tactics over granting reservations in jobs and education to the Maratha community.

Sources said Mr Shelar reached Azad Maidan at around 10.30 am. However, he was not welcomed and many protesters raised slogans against the BJ.P, sources said. Akshay Patil, who was present in the crowd, said, “We asked him questions as he is close to the chief minister. Why were the promises made during the Nagpur session not completed?” Another protestor, Ankit Jadhao, said BJP MP Sambhajiraje Bhosale had been allowed to speak as he participated as a Maratha activist.”

But Mr Shelar’s office issued a statement denying he had been heckled. “Mr Shelar left the ground early. He met protestors at various places around Azad Maidan,”it said.