New Delhi: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray intensified his attack on the Maharashtra government over its handling of law and order issues on Saturday, calling for the ousting of the Eknath Shinde-led administration and advocated for the imposition of President's rule, news agency PTI reported. Thackeray’s remark came close on the heels of the murder of his party colleague, Abhishek Ghosalkar, in Mumbai's Dahisar area.
“We demand the immediate removal of the Maharashtra government. Additionally, we urge the imposition of President's rule in the state, followed by fresh elections,” PTI quoted Thackeray as saying.
The former chief minister also accused the state authorities of shielding criminal elements.
Thackeray criticised the government's failure to rein in criminal elements, and said, “If the police are given a free hand, they could apprehend all criminals within 24 hours. However, these criminals enjoy patronage from the government.”
He also raised concerns regarding the circumstances of Ghosalkar's murder.
Ghosalkar, the son of Sena (UBT) leader Vinod Ghosalkar, was fatally shot during a Facebook Live session by local businessman and social activist Mauris Noronha on Thursday evening. Noronha subsequently took his own life, according to police.
Thackeray questioned the authenticity of the Facebook Live footage, suggesting that it does not conclusively show Noronha committing the murder.
“Why did Noronha choose to end his own life after killing Ghosalkar,” Thackeray said, adding, “Mauris did not possess a valid firearm license, yet he utilised his bodyguard's pistol. Were the shots fired by Mauris himself or by someone else? Was there a contract issued to eliminate both individuals?"
Ghosalkar’s murder follows a previous altercation on February 2, wherein Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ganpat Gaikwad allegedly shot and wounded a local Shiv Sena leader in Ulhasnagar near Mumbai during a dispute over land and political rivalry.
Thackeray, Fadnavis Engage In War Of Words Over Mumbai Shooting
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray engaged in a war of words regarding each other's mental state over the murder of Ghosalkar.
Fadnavis, dismissing calls for his resignation following the incident, made a controversial statement on Friday, likening Opposition demands to the reaction one might expect if even a dog were to be involved in an accident.
“This (Ghosalkar's killing) is a serious incident, but even if a dog were to come under a vehicle, they (Opposition) will seek the Home Minister's resignation,” PTI quoted Fadnavis as saying.
In response, Thackeray, during a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday, strongly criticised Fadnavis's remarks, questioning the mental stability of the state’s Home Minister.
“I had previously labelled him as being useless. But now, I am at a loss for words. I genuinely believe he should undergo a mental health evaluation. His remarks regarding the killing of Ghosalkar suggest that our state has a mentally unstable home minister,” Thackeray said.
Fadnavis, in retaliation, said, “Uddhav Thackeray has lost his mind. I can only say, get well soon.”