Mumbai: Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Get together chief Ravindra Chavan on Tuesday drew harsh criticism for his comment after the civic physique polls held in Latur on January 15 that “reminiscence” could be “erased” from Latur, the hometown of late Congress chief Vilasrao Deshmukh.
The Congress claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Get together chief’s feedback have been disrespectful to a pacesetter who handed away a number of years in the past and have been towards Hinduism.
“Lord Ram has taught us that enmity ends after demise. You don’t perceive Hindu faith and Lord Ram. Vilasrao lives within the hearts of individuals not simply in Latur however throughout the state. His reminiscence won’t ever fade,” mentioned state Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant.
He added, “You’re indulging in Hindutva politics, however there is no such thing as a room for such hatred within the Hindu faith. That is taught in your teachings.” RSS Shaka”
Deshmukh’s sons – actor Riteish and politicians Amit and Dheeraj – additionally criticized Chavan for the comment, however senior Bharatiya Janata Get together chief and former Union Minister Raosaheb Danbe mentioned Chavan had not meant any insult and went into harm management mode.
Chavan himself apologized to Deshmukh’s sons, however mentioned, “I’ve not criticized Vilasrao Deshmukh within the assertion, however the Congress is demanding a vote there within the title of (Latur) Vilasrao Deshmukh.”
Chavan turned the president of the Maharashtra state BJP in July. He was the Minister of Meals, Civil Provides and Public Works from 2022 to 2024 within the earlier state authorities led by Eknath Shinde.
He made the assertion about Deshmukh at a Bharatiya Janata Get together staff’ rally in Latur on Monday night time, expressing confidence that his celebration will win the native referendum scheduled for January 15.
“Actually, your enthusiasm at the moment, I’m 100 per cent assured that the reminiscence of Vilasrao (Deshmukh) will certainly be erased from this metropolis,” he informed the gathering.
This got here after asking celebration staff to lift their fingers and chant slogans like ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’.
Vilasrao Deshmukh, a outstanding Congress chief of Maharashtra, served because the state’s 14th Chief Minister from October 18, 1999 to January 16, 2003. He then served as prime minister once more from November 1, 2004 to December 5, 2008.
Deshmukh hails from Latur within the Marathwada area of Maharashtra.
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condemnation
Condemning Chavan’s remarks, Vilasrao Deshmukh’s eldest son and Congress chief Amit on Monday mentioned his father’s reminiscence can’t be erased simply because an “outsider” got here and made such remarks in Latur.
“For my part, with Ravindra Chavan’s assertion, the query is the place is politics going? It is unlucky. He mustn’t have mentioned that. This isn’t what Latur represents, it isn’t consultant of Maharashtra. I condemn this assertion and based on me this assertion is condemned by everybody,” the Latur MLA mentioned. He spoke to reporters after addressing the Congress/VBA ‘Prachar Sabha’ (marketing campaign rally) held within the metropolis on Monday.
“The late CM Deshmukh touched the lives of everybody in Latur and his reminiscence is deeply engraved within the hearts of the folks,” he added.
On Tuesday, the previous chief minister’s youthful son, actor Riteish Deshmukh, posted a brief video assertion in Marathi on Instagram in response to Chavan’s remarks.
“I say with folded fingers that the names of those that lived for the persons are etched within the hearts of the folks. What’s written might be erased, however what’s inscribed can’t be erased,” Riteish says, with out naming Chavan.
Vilasrao Deshmukh’s different son, Dhiraj, a former MLA, mentioned Chavan’s feedback have been “extraordinarily unlucky and heartbreaking”. He mentioned the connection between his father and Mr Latour was past the understanding of the Bharatiya Janata Get together. “We didn’t anticipate such a press release from him or the BJP. This assertion damage the feelings of all of us Latur residents. We condemn the assertion within the strongest phrases.”
Former NCP chief and present Congress MP Prashant Jagtap mentioned Chavan’s assertion “uncovered his phrases”. Sanskar (Tradition),” “The Bharatiya Janata Get together’s pretend Hindutva masks got here off at the moment.”
“In our Hindu tradition, any lifeless individual is taken into account worthy of worship. shradz And comparable rituals are carried out yearly to maintain the reminiscence of the deceased alive. Nevertheless, the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Get together scarf “I’ve gone to the holy Hindutva sage Latur and made a press release to completely erase the reminiscence of the late Vilasrao Deshmukh,” he wrote in a put up on X.
Senior Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat mentioned Vilasrao Deshmukh is Latur’s son and the architect of contemporary Maharashtra.
“Irrespective of what number of makes an attempt are made to erase his reminiscence, it would turn out to be an increasing number of strong and steadfast within the minds of the folks. The phrase erasing the reminiscence of a pacesetter who has established a agency place within the hearts of the folks is an indication of the ideological chapter of the Bharatiya Janata Get together,” he mentioned.
Chavan apologizes however strikes on to ‘subsequent query’
In the meantime, Chavan thought-about Deshmukh’s son Riteish a “pricey buddy” and mentioned his feedback weren’t politically motivated.
“Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh was an excellent chief and served because the Chief Minister. Nevertheless, I apologize to him if I’ve damage the feelings of his son, who is an effective buddy of mine. This assertion shouldn’t be taken politically,” the Bharatiya Janata Get together chief informed reporters right here on Tuesday after an election rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
“Public amenities ought to be the main focus of this native authorities election. It is essential who addresses these points shortly,” he added.
When a journalist requested him if he would additionally apologize to the folks of Latur, Chavan merely replied, “Subsequent query.”
Raosaheb Dambe, a BJP chief and former Jalna MP, mentioned Chavan didn’t intend to insult the previous chief minister. “Ravindra Chavan’s intention behind the remarks about Vilasrao Deshmukh’s reminiscence erasure was that no matter Vilasrao Deshmukh did or couldn’t do when it comes to the event of town, the BJP would do extra and reside as much as the expectations of the Ratulkar household,” he mentioned.
He added: “We is not going to let anybody suppose that Vilasrao Deshmukh is now not with us or that our Latour would have completed effectively if he had been right here. He (Chavan) meant that no matter must be completed, we’ll do.”
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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