Congress & BJP condemn threat to NCP MLA; TMC’s Mahesh Aher cries foul

THANE: A day after NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad accused assistant municipal commissioner Mahesh Aher to have conspired to harm him and his family, Thane Congress and BJP leaders extended support to take corrective action against errant civic officials.
Thane district Congress president Vikrant Chavan demanded an investigation into the accusations levelled by Awhad, including forensic analysis of the clip.“Aher has many complaints and departmental enquiries against him but has surprisingly been promoted,” echoed Sachin Shinde and Rahul Pingale of the Thane Congress. BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar said it was high time errant officials were held accountable. “If the clip is found to be true then it is condemnable,” he said. Meanwhile, the Awhad-Aher tussle took a fresh turn Thursday, with the official alleging a threat to him and his family from the legislator and his supporters.
“It seems someone (Awhad) didn’t like my constant action on illegal constructions in his area. There have been many threats to my life in the past and I now fear for safety of my family too. I have done no wrong. The voice in the said viral clip is definitely not mine,” Aher told the media. Awhad on the other hand released a few videos on his twitter handle, Thursday, alleging involvement of the officer in corruption and also questioned the silence of the administration. His wife Ruta and daughter approached the Vartak Nagar police with his complaint letter.
Meanwhile, the Naupada police probing the Aher assault case booked Awhad and six activists, of which four were arrested and sent to police custody. It is learnt that Awhad is planning to move for anticipatory bail. Naresh Mhaske, spokesperson of CM Eknath Shinde camp said he (Shinde) has already instructed police commissioner Jaijeet Singh to provide security to the Awhads. Meanwhile, Thane corporation employees sported a black band to protest the attack on Aher.
—