The annual general meeting of the Thane-Palghar District Central Cooperative Bank, or TDCC Bank, was disrupted in Thane on Thursday after members from rival BJP-linked groups argued over the order of photographs in the bank’s annual report and later pushed one another, according to a report by Loksatta – Thane. Police were called to the venue before the meeting resumed.
The dispute began at Gadkari Rangayatan in Thane over the placement of photographs of political leaders in the annual report. Former Union minister Kapil Patil questioned why Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar president Sharad Pawar’s photograph appeared before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s photograph. He also questioned why Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan’s photograph was placed later in the report.
Patil reportedly asked why Fadnavis had been allegedly disrespected when the BJP was in control of the bank. He also questioned who had ordered the removal of Pawar’s photograph from the bank chairman’s office. Bank chairman Arun Patil responded that Pawar was a senior leader in the cooperative sector and was respected by everyone.
The disagreement reflects an earlier contest for control of the cooperative bank. During the TDCC Bank election, Chavan and Patil had campaigned through the Parivartan panel. The Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had supported the Sahakar panel backed by the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi and BJP MLA Kisan Kathore. The Sahakar panel won the highest number of seats, after which Arun Patil, who is considered a Kathore supporter, became chairman.
During the AGM, Patil reportedly raised his objections from the audience rather than sitting on the stage. A verbal dispute then broke out between members of the two groups in the space in front of the dais and escalated into pushing. The incident took place in front of Patil and created tension in the meeting.
A police team was subsequently called to the venue. The annual general meeting resumed after the disruption, the report said.
