Mumbai: The MVA criticised the state govt over the violence in Nagpur, with Uddhav Thackeray targeting CM and home minister Devendra Fadnavis even as MPCC president Harshawardhan Sapkal rejected the demand of Mahayuti for an apology for his statement comparing CM Devendra Fadnavis to Aurangzeb.
Uddhav Thackeray asked, “Home minister Fadnavis’s house is in Nagpur. The RSS headquarters is also there… Then what have you done for so many years? If the riots were pre-planned, was your home department sleeping? If the home department had heard that this conspiracy was being cooked, did they ignore it? Many questions arise from this.”
Sapkal said he stood by his statement on CM Fadnavis. “My words have been twisted. I compared Fadnavis’s administration with Aurangzeb. We call Aurangzeb cruel because he ruled through betrayal and division. Under Fadnavis, divisive forces have become more active. Maharashtra is witnessing a spurt in incidents of suicides and criminal assault on women,” he said.
Uddhav said people like Rahul Solapurkar, Prashant Koratkar and former governor B S Koshyari had insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. “But they (BJP) are sparing them and inciting riots among people here in Aurangzeb’s name. BJP MP Pradeep Purohit made a statement in Parliament that PM Modi was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his previous life. BJP’s people compare Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with anyone. If even one person who insults Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is thrashed in public, such incidents will not happen,” he said.
Uddhav further said, “Those who are using the language of uprooting Aurangzeb’s tomb… they should not just protest. Is the double engine govt just to let off steam? CM Devendra Fadnavis has shown his inability to destroy the tomb and said it has the protection of the Centre.”
Sapkal criticized minister Nitesh Rane, saying his statements are resulting in a law and order situation and social unrest. “Mahayuti govt has suddenly raked up the issue of Aurangzeb to cover up its failures on all fronts,” Sapkal said.
MPCC spokesperson Atul Londhe said statements made by Dy CM Eknath Shinde were provocative. Shinde’s remarks, such as asking if Sapkal’s tongue should be cut, are inflammatory and encourage attacks on him,” Londhe said.