Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday sought to link the slapping incident involving a Shiv Sena MLA with purported differences between the Shiv Sena headed by Eknath Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reported news agency PTI.

"Is this an attempt to malign the chief minister? He should be cautious," Thackeray replied cryptically when reporters sought his reaction on Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapping an employee of the MLA's hostel canteen here for serving 'stale' food, reported PTI.

A viral video shows Gaikwad berating the canteen operator over the quality of food, refusing to pay the bill, and repeatedly slapping the staff member seated at the billing counter of the Akashvani MLA hostel.