Bharatiya Janata Party's Maharashtra unit president, Ravindra Chavan, asserted on Monday that the responsibility of honouring the coalition's 'Dharma of Mahayuti' does not rest solely with his party. His comments come against the backdrop of public spats between alliance partners in the state.
Alliance Dharma a Collective Responsibility
While attending a road show and public gathering in Ahilyanagar, Chavan addressed questions about the recent war of words between the BJP and its ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Chavan clarified that the NCP initiated the verbal clash, and the BJP was merely responding. He emphasized that maintaining the decorum of the 'Mahayuti' or grand alliance is a duty for all constituent parties, not just the BJP.
"The BJP alone cannot be held responsible to honour the Mahayuti dharma, and it is everybody's responsibility," Chavan stated. The event in Ahilyanagar saw the presence of district guardian minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap, highlighting the alliance's joint campaigning efforts in the region.
Past Precedents and Future Appointments
Chavan referenced a similar controversy during the municipal council and nagar panchayat elections in Konkan, involving the BJP and Shiv Sena. He recalled his earlier stance of wanting to keep the alliance intact until the elections concluded. He acknowledged that many BJP functionaries had to forgo contesting corporation elections across Maharashtra due to the alliance's seat-sharing agreements.
Explaining the delay in political appointments, Chavan said, "This is the reason that the government still did not announce appointments in the various corporations. After the elections, based on the way the functionaries contributed to the party, the functionaries will be appointed."
Controversial Remarks Spark Congress Backlash
Later, while speaking at an event in Latur, Ravindra Chavan made a contentious statement targeting the late Congress leader and former Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh. Chavan claimed that the enthusiasm of BJP workers would ensure that memories of Vilasrao Deshmukh are "erased from Latur city." During this event, he also released the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming civic polls.
Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant strongly condemned the remark, questioning the BJP's apparent hatred. "It has been 13 years since Vilasrao passed away. Still the BJP is wishing that his memories to be erased," Sawant said. He asserted that Deshmukh continues to live in the hearts of people in Latur and Maharashtra, and his legacy cannot be wiped out.
The series of statements from the BJP state president underscore the ongoing tensions and competitive dynamics within Maharashtra's ruling alliance, even as partners campaign together in some constituencies.
