Athawale slapped at Maha function

Mantri blames inadequate security My popularity is growing and it may have resulted in a jealous person acting out against me Ramdas Athawale,

Mumbai: A man allegedly slapped Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, at a public event in Ambernath on Saturday night. Mr Athawale has claimed that the police had failed to provide adequate security at the event.

A man allegedly slapped the Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, at a public event in Ambernath on Saturday night.

Mr Athawale, the president of the Republican Party of India ( RPI), has claimed that the police had failed to provide adequate security.

The leader was getting down from the stage after delivering a speech on the Constitution at a rally when a former RPI member, Pravin Gosavi, allegedly slapped him on the pretext of garlanding him.

In a statement issued on Sunday morning, Mr Athawale said: “The police did not provide sufficient protection, which aided the assailant. My popularity is growing and it may have resulted in a jealous person acting out against me. I am going to meet the chief minister of Maharashtra regarding the matter.”

According to the Thane police, as soon as Mr Gosavi allegedly slapped the minister, bystanders

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Union minister

and police stepped in foil further attempts assault him.

After the incident, supporters of the minister beat the accused, who has been shifted to a state- run hospital in Mumbai. The police has also detained Mr Gosavi.

“Gosavi’s RPI membership was terminated a year ago after he was found blackmailing people using Right to Information Act pleas. He may have been frustrated about this and tried to manhandle the Union minister,” DCP P. P. Shewale said. to to