In what could create a rift within the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, the BJP has demanded that Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde take action against two party ministers - Sanjay Shirsat and Bachchu Kadu - who met Cockroach Janta Party chief Abhijeet Dipke and his parents at their residence in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar last week. Shirsat is the district guardian minister of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, while Kadu is an MLC.
“Eknath Shinde should take strict action against such people,” State Revenue Minister and senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule lashed out at Shiv Sena on Sunday. He said that while it remained an internal matter of the party, Shinde should decide how his party leaders should behave. "Such conduct is not appropriate while working within the ruling Mahayuti alliance," Bawankule said.
Not just Bawankule, MLA Praveen Darekar too expressed his discontent at the Shiv Sena leaders’ actions. This could lead to a discord within Mahayuti, he told TV9.
“The behaviour of opposition parties is understandable, but when Sanjay Shirsat and Bachchu Kadu meet Abhijit Dipke at his home, it sends the wrong message. It is wrong for leaders of a ruling coalition party to meet the leader of a movement that tried to tarnish the government's image,” Darekar said.
Shirsat was the first to meet with Dipke's parents on July 26. He promised government protection for Dipke. "I will personally request Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to provide him with government security so that his life is not in danger," Shirsat reportedly told the parents.
He, however, defended his action stating they had family ties with the Deepak family. “I did not attend the protests so as not to politicise the matter. Now I have come to inquire about Abhijit's well-being, and the government will take proper care of him."
Kadu, meanwhile, was more direct. "Am I from Pakistan? Can't someone from the ruling party meet Abhijeet Dipke is an activist, and I am also an activist. If Dipke is going to protest on behalf of the farmers, it's not wrong to hold the government accountable. The media has labelled the protesters criminals," he defended.
