Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis further elaborated on the issue of the police shooting of Akshay Shinde, emphasizing that such incidents, while sometimes necessary in the line of duty, should never be glorified or turned into public spectacles. Shinde, the accused in a serious sexual assault case involving two young girls at a Badlapur school, was killed in what the police described as a retaliatory act of self-defense. According to reports, Shinde managed to snatch a firearm from one of the officers during his transfer from Taloja jail to Badlapur, prompting the police to respond with lethal force. Fadnavis was clear in his stance that the rule of law should be upheld, stressing that he does not endorse encounters as a form of justice. He explained that while the police acted to protect themselves, public celebration of such incidents is neither necessary nor appropriate. The Deputy Chief Minister condemned the hoardings that appeared in various parts of Mumbai after the shooting, which portrayed him with a gun and featured the tagline "Badla Pura" (revenge complete), insinuating that justice had been swiftly served through violence. Fadnavis stated firmly that such glorification does not align with his principles, reiterating that due process and legal frameworks must always be respected, and that any incident like this will undergo a thorough investigation by the state CID.
Addressing broader political issues at the India Today Mumbai Conclave, Fadnavis spoke at length about the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, expressing his confidence in the BJP's prospects. He asserted that the BJP would not only emerge as the largest party but would do so decisively, leading the Mahayuti alliance to a strong majority win. Fadnavis was clear that the BJP, despite some challenges, remains the most dominant force in Maharashtra’s political landscape. He emphasized that while the party had only secured nine seats in the last Lok Sabha elections, this result should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness. According to Fadnavis, the losses were narrow, with 12 seats being decided by margins as small as 5,000-6,000 votes. He attributed these defeats to a "fake narrative" promoted by the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, which, he claimed, misled voters. Now, however, Fadnavis is confident that the BJP and its allies have regained their footing and are poised to perform strongly in the upcoming elections.
When questioned about the controversial inclusion of Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction into the Mahayuti alliance, Fadnavis acknowledged that there had been initial resistance from BJP supporters. Many voters were uncomfortable with aligning with the NCP due to the party’s past associations with corruption. However, Fadnavis defended the decision, explaining that it was a strategic move to strengthen the alliance and that any concerns from BJP voters have since been addressed. He highlighted that while both Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena breakaway group are still relatively new to the Mahayuti fold, it took some time for these parties to establish their voter base. Fadnavis also dismissed rumors about a rotational Chief Minister arrangement within the alliance, emphasizing that the BJP is the leading party and would continue to drive the agenda moving forward.
In his concluding remarks, Fadnavis underscored that the BJP's influence in Maharashtra remains as strong as ever, and that the Mahayuti alliance is fully united in its approach. He emphasized that voters are now seeing through the narratives spun by opposition parties and are ready to rally behind the BJP for stability and progress in the state. Fadnavis also reiterated his commitment to law and order, promising that the police and legal systems in Maharashtra would continue to function independently and without political interference, ensuring that justice is served fairly and swiftly.
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