A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Maharashtra has ignited a political controversy with a bold statement concerning the legacy of former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader, the late Vilasrao Deshmukh. The remarks were made during a party workers' meeting in central Maharashtra.
Controversial Statement at Party Meet
Addressing a gathering of BJP workers, the party's state unit chief, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, made a declaration that has drawn sharp reactions. He asserted that the memories and political legacy of Vilasrao Deshmukh would be erased from his hometown of Latur. Deshmukh, a towering figure in Maharashtra's Congress politics, served as the Chief Minister twice and was a Member of Parliament from Latur. His family continues to be a significant political force in the region.
Call for Nationalist Slogans
In the same address, Bawankule directed the party cadre to demonstrate their nationalist fervor. He asked the assembled workers to raise their hands and chant slogans like 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. This call is seen as an effort to consolidate the party's ideological stance and energize the grassroots workers ahead of future electoral battles in the state.
Political Repercussions and Context
The statement, made on January 6, 2026, is likely to escalate tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in Maharashtra. Latur has been a traditional stronghold of the Deshmukh family and the Congress party. The BJP's attempt to make inroads into this region involves directly challenging the established political narrative and legacy. Such remarks are often interpreted as part of a broader strategy to diminish the influence of rival political dynasties and rewrite the region's political history in favour of the current ruling party.
The comment has predictably drawn condemnation from Congress leaders, who have accused the BJP of disrespecting a departed leader and trying to undermine his contributions to the state's development. The BJP, on the other hand, may frame it as a statement of political confidence and a vision for a future where their party's ideology and work dominate public memory.
This incident underscores the intensely competitive nature of Maharashtra's politics, where symbolic gestures and statements about legacy and memory are potent tools for mobilizing support and challenging entrenched political forces.
