Former Mumbai mayor Datta Dalvi was reportedly attacked by a street vendor in the Vikhroli area earlier this week. A video of the altercation has since gone viral. Dalvi, a leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and mayor of the city from 2005 to 2007, stated that the incident occurred on Station Road in Kannamwar Nagar a few days ago.
Dalvi, who has served as a corporator in the area for ten years, said that the vendor had placed two empty vegetable crates on the bustling 45-foot-wide road. This was causing inconvenience to people. Upon noticing this, Dalvi moved the crates onto the sidewalk in front of a nearby shop. The vendor, however, responded with verbal abuse and physically attacked him, according to Dalvi, who has since lodged a complaint with the police.
Datta Dalvi Dakka Bukki | मुंबईचे माजी महापौर दत्ता दळवींना फेरीवाल्यांकडून धक्काबुक्की आणि शिवीगाळ#DattaDalvi @CMOMaharashtra #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024 #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/1wCo3BqXaK
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He added that pedestrians face significant challenges navigating city streets due to such obstructions caused by hawkers.
After the incident, Datta Dalvi said: “I represented this area for 10 years. But not a single hawker dared to sit on the road. There are 42- to 45-foot roads. But today, people not even 10 feet is open for walking… The street was encroached on by vegetable vendors and after removing the vegetable crates, the vendor attacked me. People are suffering and I tried to raise my voice against it. I was alone this time… Those who have the job of clearing encroachments must see to it, Datta Dalvi told ‘ABP Majha’.
Datta Dalvi is a known Shiv Sainik and staunch follower of Balasaheb Thackeray. Datta Dalvi started his career as a Shiv Sainik. Due to his aggressive nature, he rose to prominence within a short time and became a confidant of Balasaheb Thackeray.
Dutta Dalvi also served as the Mayor of Mumbai between 2005 and 2007. Datta Dalvi has great influence in North East Mumbai. In 2018, Datta Dalvi resigned from the post. Datta Dalvi stayed with Uddhav Thackeray after Eknath Shinde’s rebellion. Dalvi was even arrested in December last year for allegedly making objectionable remarks against CM Eknath Shinde. He was later granted bail.
(With inputs from ABP Majha and PTI.)