Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar recently took aim at Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of promoting divisive rhetoric while questioning the sincerity of his political motivations. Speaking at a rally in Nagpur in the lead-up to the Maharashtra elections, Kanhaiya Kumar criticized Fadnavis and other leaders for urging the public to "save religion" while their own families remain distanced from such causes. In a pointed remark, he singled out Fadnavis's wife, who has gained a following on social media for her Instagram reels, implying that political families are often disengaged from the sacrifices they ask others to make.
This comment comes as Fadnavis is engaged in a key electoral contest in the Nagpur Southwest constituency, facing off against Congress candidate Prafulla Gudadhe. Kanhaiya Kumar emphasized that the public should challenge political leaders when they become arrogant, suggesting that they hold politicians accountable to the same standards they expect from the electorate.
Expanding his criticism, Kanhaiya Kumar also targeted Home Minister Amit Shah's son, Jay Shah, who holds a prominent position as the chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Kanhaiya sarcastically questioned whether Jay Shah would participate in the "fight to save religion," contrasting his role in forming Indian Premier League (IPL) teams within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) with the public being encouraged to join fantasy cricket platforms like Dream11. Kanhaiya’s remarks highlight what he sees as a double standard, where political elites live lives of privilege while asking ordinary citizens to shoulder burdens they avoid.
In response to Kanhaiya's comments, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla defended Fadnavis's wife and labeled the remarks as an affront to Marathi women. Poonawalla also took the opportunity to remind the public of Kanhaiya’s past, referring to his 2016 arrest on charges of sedition after a controversial event at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) that commemorated the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. This reference aimed to cast doubt on Kanhaiya’s credibility, portraying him as a supporter of anti-national elements.
Kanhaiya Kumar’s sharp criticism followed recent remarks by Fadnavis, who attributed the ruling alliance’s lackluster performance in the last Lok Sabha elections to what he termed "vote jihad." Fadnavis suggested that a significant consolidation of Muslim votes had cost the Mahayuti alliance crucial victories, particularly in 14 of the 48 seats contested. His comments have sparked debate about religious polarization in Maharashtra’s politics, raising concerns about communal divides ahead of the upcoming elections.
Kanhaiya's rally speech, along with Fadnavis’s statements, underscores the charged political atmosphere in Maharashtra, where religious and community-based narratives continue to play a pivotal role in electoral strategies. With the election campaign intensifying, the exchange of verbal jabs between Congress and the BJP reflects a broader ideological battle over the direction of the state and the country, particularly regarding the role of religion in politics and the responsibilities of political leaders and their families.
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