Mumbai: Criticising Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad’s assault on MLA hostel’s canteen staff, CM Devendra Fadnavis said in the legislative council that elected representatives indulging in violence and videos of such attacks going viral lowers the image of elected representatives and creates an impression of misuse of power. Fadnavis termed the MLA’s conduct as “improper” and the issue as “serious.” Gaikwad’s party chief, Dy CM Eknath Shinde , said he had “censured” the Buldhana MLA and added “it was not right” for him to beat up the canteen staffer. However, while the opposition demanded action against Gaikwad, BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar said he didn’t support violence “but we can’t support the fact that stale food is served to MLAs.”Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said Gaikwad’s assault was “not Shiv Sena style” as he is now part of the Shinde faction. Uddhav said this was a conspiracy by the Shinde group to “defame” the CM. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule said an FIR must be filed against Gaikwad. Congress MLA Nana Patole said, “This incident shows how arrogant ruling party MLAs and ministers have become.” Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar said Gaiwkad was named chairperson of legislature’s food committee. “So he should have done something instead of taking the law into his own hands,” he said.The issue was raised in the council by Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab, who said the MLA could have lodged a written complaint. Minister of state for home Pankaj Bhoyar said there will be a probe into allegations of stale food, though it was not right to beat up staffers.Shinde, who criticized Gaikwad, said, “He was given stale food. Even common people would have suffered because of this. He ate and vomited. In a fit of rage he beat up the staffer. An MLA is a lawmaker, so beating up anyone is not right. Elected representatives from all parties must behave responsibly.”Some Sena and BJP netas were mild in their responses, stressing on the ‘stale’ food bit. Sena minister Shambhuraje Desai said, “There is some substance in allegations of stale food… Beating up is not right, but we will find out what led to him losing his temper. It is not fair to take a one-sided stand.” BJP’s Mungantiwar said, “There is no complaint in police about the incident. MLAs are given stale food. This is also a breach of privilege of MLAs, so MLAs must use this instrument. But if the staffer beaten up has no issue, there will be no complaint.” MLAs must not lose their temper, he added.