Maharashtra's political landscape witnessed a sharp controversy this week after a remark by a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader about the late Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh sparked outrage, leading to a public apology. The incident, which unfolded during election campaigning in Latur, saw Deshmukh's sons, including actor Riteish Deshmukh, stepping up to defend their father's enduring legacy.
Controversial Rally Remark Sparks Outrage
On Monday, January 5, 2026, Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan was addressing a poll campaign rally in Latur, Marathwada, ahead of the upcoming municipal corporation elections. In his speech, Chavan made a statement that would quickly backfire. Referring to the crowd's enthusiasm, he said, "Your enthusiasm shows that the memories of Vilasrao will be wiped off 100 per cent from this city."
Latur is the hometown of the late Vilasrao Deshmukh, a two-time Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a former Union Minister who passed away in 2012. He is widely credited with the development of the region and remains a deeply revered figure in state politics. His career began as a village sarpanch before he rose to the state's highest office.
Family and Political Backlash Forces Apology
The remark did not sit well with Deshmukh's family or the opposition. His sons—Congress MLA Amit Deshmukh, former MLA Dhiraj Deshmukh, and actor Riteish Deshmukh—along with the Maharashtra Congress and other opposition leaders, launched a swift attack on Chavan.
Facing widespread condemnation, Ravindra Chavan issued an apology on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. He clarified that his intention was to highlight the developmental work done under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, as the Congress, according to him, focused solely on Vilasrao's legacy for votes. "Vilasrao was a very tall leader... if my words have hurt the feelings of his sons—who are very good friends of mine—then I certainly express my apologies to them," Chavan stated, urging the family not to view the comment through a political lens.
Defending a Legacy: "What is Etched Can't Be Erased"
The Deshmukh family, however, stood firm in defending the patriarch's indelible mark on Latur. In a pointed response, Amit Deshmukh stated that the life of every person in Latur is touched by his father's work and those memories are "engraved on their minds." He called Chavan an "outsider" and asserted that such statements could not erase his father's legacy.
Actor Riteish Deshmukh, without naming anyone, posted a video statement with a powerful metaphor. "Written names can be wiped off, but those etched can never be," he said, emphasizing the permanence of his father's contributions. Dhiraj Deshmukh added that the BJP could never understand the profound relationship between Latur and Vilasrao Deshmukh.
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshavardhan Sapkal also slammed Chavan, questioning his stature to dishonour a leader of Vilasrao's caliber. He accused the BJP of working to destroy legacies and highlighted Deshmukh's impact on the entire state, especially the Marathwada region.
The episode underscores the sensitive nature of political legacies in Maharashtra and how remarks perceived as disrespectful to local icons can trigger immediate backlash, forcing even senior leaders into damage control mode during a crucial election period.
