Allegations have arisen that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis physically pushed a man during his visit to a flood-ravaged region in Nagpur, leading to a heated political debate. The opposition parties, comprising Maharashtra Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), shared a video clip of Fadnavis’ visit to a rain-hit area, where they accused him of displaying an “arrogance of power.”
The video clip reveals a confrontation between a group of women and the police and security personnel escorting Fadnavis. These women were purportedly urging him to visit their residences. In the midst of this exchange, Fadnavis engaged in conversation with a man standing with the women. It’s this interaction that drew allegations of manhandling.
Clyde Crasto, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) national spokesperson, used this opportunity to comment on the incident, stating that Fadnavis should have spent his time addressing the plight of Nagpur’s residents instead of plotting to destabilize the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. The MVA government, which combines the Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress, has been governing the state since 2019.
In response, the Maharashtra BJP defended Fadnavis, labeling the opposition’s statements as “misleading and politically motivated.” The BJP explained that during Fadnavis’ visit to the flood-affected area, numerous residents had requested him to visit their homes, which was not feasible for him to accommodate due to time constraints.
The video presented a resident who was particularly insistent on Fadnavis visiting his house, and Fadnavis extended his hand to bring the man closer, intending to assure him that he would indeed visit.
The BJP pointed out that people in Nagpur genuinely like Fadnavis, their local MLA, and hence, there is no harm in their desire to have him visit their homes. The BJP criticized the politicization of such incidents and indirectly alluded to Uddhav Thackeray, the former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader, saying, “It is disgusting and the height of shamelessness that such incidents are politicized by those who never mix with people.” The BJP countered the allegations by posting another video showing Fadnavis visiting the home of the man involved in the video. They also mocked the opposition for abandoning constructive work in favor of becoming a “trolling gang” and referred to them as people rejected by the state’s residents.
Devendra Fadnavis, while visiting flood-affected areas, discussed the severe damage caused by extensive rainfall, particularly in the vicinity of Ambazari Lake, the city’s largest water body. Fadnavis mentioned that approximately 10,000 homes were affected, with mud entering residences. He also emphasized the seriousness of the damage, stating that the rainfall had exceeded the area’s carrying capacity.
Four individuals, including a 53-year-old bedridden woman, lost their lives due to the incessant rains. Additionally, over 400 people had to be relocated to safety as a result of the flooding.
