NCP spokesperson says former party MP staged attack on him

The allegations made by the two NCP leaders forced the police to register a case for attempt to murder and rioting

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) party spokesperson Nawab Malik said he was attacked by armed men allegedly sent by the party’s former member of parliament (MP) Sanjay Dina Patil at a public meeting organised at Deonar in Chembur on Tuesday evening.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the attackers fired a few shots at the event. (HT File Photo)

Malik said the attackers also fired a few shots at the event. Refuting the allegations, Patil, who was present at the meet, said it was Malik who had sent armed men to attack him. He added that his bodyguard took out a revolver in defence.

The allegations made by the two NCP leaders forced the police to register a case for attempt to murder and rioting. Nine people were booked and four held. Two people were injured in the scuffle. The accused are supporters of Patil, said police.

“There are allegations that the accused arrived at the venue and stepped on the stage. They brandished sharp weapons and also fired in the air,” said a police officer. The accused kicked over chairs and attacked Imran Kariyar, 42, and Latif Shaikh,30, with sharp weapons, he added.

According to party sources, Deonar, a predominantly Muslim area, falls under Patil’s constituency — Mumbai North East. Patil was unhappy with Malik’s interference and him holding a public meeting there, they added.

Malik was an MLA from the Anushakti Nagar assembly constituency. Both leaders share boundaries of their respective constituencies at some places.