Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hit back at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray over his claims of tampered voter lists. Speaking to the media, Fadnavis claimed that Aaditya simply copied what Congress had already shown and advised Sena (UBT) leaders not to act like Maharashtra’s ‘Pappu’, a term allegedly used by many in the ruling parties at the Centre and in the state to refer to Rahul Gandhi.
On Tuesday, Fadnavis said, “There was nothing new, and the same old allegations were repeated through the presentation.” A day earlier, Aaditya, highlighting alleged anomalies in voter lists, gave a presentation in Mumbai, titled ‘Bogus Sarkar, Bogus Matadar’ (fake government, fake voters). During the presentation, Aaditya alleged that the root cause behind the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) defeat in the Assembly elections was defective electoral rolls.
In September, on similar lines, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had made a presentation alleging widespread manipulation in voter lists, charges that were completely refuted by the Election Commission of India. Defending Aaditya, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab questioned Fadnavis over the ‘Pappu’ jibe. “The question was put to the Election Commission. Why are ruling party leaders answering questions put to the commission?”
Shinde speaks
Eknath Shinde, the leader of the rival Shiv Sena faction, also slammed Thackeray Jr for his remarks. “After the 2024 Lok Sabha results were out, no one complained. But, when the MVA lost the 2024 Assembly polls, the Opposition started making allegations about errors in the voter lists. One should not forget that MVA won the Lok Sabha polls on the same list. Now, when the Opposition is defeated, instead of accepting the public verdict and introspecting, the rival camp is making attempts to find an excuse for its defeat,” he said.
Shinde took a swipe at Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray for making statements about the ruling parties’ alleged plans to separate Mumbai. “Whenever elections come, the same old cassette is played. ‘There are plans to separate Mumbai. Marathi people need to exhibit unity’. But now, voters have understood clearly who is working for the betterment and development of the city and who is responsible for its bad condition,” Shinde added.
Thackeray Sr, during his speech on Monday at Worli in Mumbai, had made an emotional appeal to the Marathi people to stay united and ensure the saffron flag is hoisted at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters to protect regional pride and language.
Sugar institute under government scanner
The Maharashtra government is said to have directed the sugar commissioner to form a committee to conduct an audit of funds provided for research to the Pune-based Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI). NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar is the head of the VSI, while his estranged nephew and head of the other NCP faction, Ajit Pawar, is a key office-bearer. Immediately after the reports of inquiry into the funds provided to the VIS, Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew and MLA Rohit Pawar claimed that the BJP had now turned their attention to Baramati after Thane.
Rohit, in a veiled attack, was referring to how the BJP had allegedly been destabilising its ally, Shiv Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and was now doing the same with Ajit Pawar. Reacting to Rohit`s statement, BJP leader and Revenue Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule said, “Why should one fear an inquiry?” But Fadnavis later clarified that no probe had been ordered in the VSI case. “As decided earlier in a meeting about sugar factories held with its stakeholders, the sugar commissioner has just sought some account information, and no inquiry has been ordered,” Fadnavis added.
