Bharatiya Janata Party's Maharashtra unit president, Ravindra Chavan, found himself at the centre of a political storm on Tuesday after expressing regret for his controversial remarks about the late former chief minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh. The incident, which unfolded in the context of the Latur civic polls, drew sharp criticism from the Congress party and Deshmukh's family.
Chavan's Clarification and Apology
Addressing the media in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Tuesday morning, Chavan clarified his position regarding statements made a day earlier in Latur. He asserted that his comments were misinterpreted within the charged political atmosphere of the local body elections. Chavan emphasized that he had no intention of criticizing the senior Congress leader, whom he described as a respected figure who served the state as its chief minister.
In an attempt to defuse the situation, Chavan extended an apology. "Amit Deshmukh is my good friend. If his feelings, or those of the family, were hurt, I apologise to them," he told reporters. He defended his original speech, stating that he was highlighting the developmental works undertaken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the Mahayuti government, and that his words were taken out of context.
The Controversial Remarks and Backlash
The controversy erupted on Monday during a BJP workers' meeting in Latur. Chavan, while addressing the gathering, had stated that given the enthusiasm of BJP workers, there was no doubt that 100% of Vilasrao Deshmukh's memories would be erased from the city. This comment triggered immediate and fierce reactions.
Amit Deshmukh, Vilasrao's son and a sitting MLA, launched a scathing attack on Chavan and the BJP. He condemned the remarks, stating they showed the depths to which politics had been dragged. "This is neither the culture of Latur nor of Maharashtra," he asserted. Amit further accused the current state government of lowering political standards, citing incidents of voter intimidation, financial inducements, candidate abductions, and violence.
Adding a poignant voice to the criticism, actor Riteish Deshmukh, another son of the late leader, took to social media. He shared a video message saying, "With both hands raised, I want to say that the names of people who lived for the people are etched in our hearts. What is written can be erased, but what is engraved cannot." He ended his message with 'Jai Maharashtra'.
Political Repercussions and Accusations
The Congress party's state leadership also joined the fray. State president Harshwardhan Sapkal expressed strong anger over Chavan's initial statement, firmly stating that no one could erase Vilasrao Deshmukh's memories from Latur.
In his defence, Ravindra Chavan alleged that the Congress party's entire election campaign in Latur was unfairly centred on leveraging Vilasrao Deshmukh's legacy. "Even now, Congress is asking for votes in Vilasrao's name and focusing its campaign only on him," he claimed. This, according to him, was the backdrop against which his comments about development and progress were made.
The episode highlights the intense political rivalry in Maharashtra and the sensitive nature of invoking legacies during election campaigns. While Chavan's apology sought to contain the damage, the strong reactions from the Deshmukh family and the Congress indicate the remarks have left a significant impact on the political discourse surrounding the Latur polls.
