A fresh political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra, pitting the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against its ally Shiv Sena. The dispute was triggered by the State Election Commission's (SEC) flying squads conducting searches at the Sangola office of former Shiv Sena legislator Shahjibapu Patil on Sunday night.
Raid Timing Sparks Allegations of Vendetta
The action by the election authorities has drawn sharp criticism from Shiv Sena leaders, who have questioned its timing and intent. The raids occurred just hours after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed a public rally in Sangola, Solapur, on Sunday afternoon. In his address, Fadnavis expressed satisfaction with the BJP's alliance with the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) and former MLA Deepak Salunkhe for the upcoming local body elections. This alliance is directly pitted against the panel led by Shahjibapu Patil.
Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat voiced strong suspicions, linking the SEC's action to Patil's recent criticism of the BJP. "The raids happening just days after Patil criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party raise suspicion about the reason and intention behind the action," Shirsat stated. He further revealed that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has taken serious note of the SEC's move.
Accusations and Counterclaims Fly
The incident has led to a series of allegations from all sides involved. Shahjibapu Patil, who recently attacked the BJP and accused Chief Minister Fadnavis of betrayal in Sangola, made serious claims about political harassment. He alleged that he was "detained" after his own rally on Sunday and that 10-12 Shiv Sena workers were also held ahead of the CM's rally despite their intention to welcome him.
Expressing deep anguish, Patil said, "All this politics is going in the wrong direction. Such politics has never happened in Sangola. I have contested many elections; but such action has never been taken. Today, the thought of quitting politics enters my mind." He directly accused former Sangola MLA Deepak Salunkhe of orchestrating the raid "by holding the hand of (BJP minister) Jaykumar Gore."
In a pointed remark highlighting his current position within the ruling alliance, Patil added, "I should not have been harassed like this when I was in the governing party. Even though I am deputy leader of Shiv Sena, I am being harassed. Why are you treating me like this?"
Leadership Responses and the Road Ahead
The state's top leadership has offered contrasting perspectives on the incident. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the action, asserting that investigations are not influenced by power dynamics. "Action isn't decided on the basis of who is in power. If there is a complaint, there is a raid or investigation," Fadnavis clarified.
On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde downplayed the severity of the issue, stating that there would be a probe and that this was "not an issue to be taken seriously." Meanwhile, Deepak Salunkhe, the BJP's ally in Sangola, countered Patil's claims by asserting that raids were also conducted on his workers' offices and were not exclusively targeted at Patil.
The political spat underscores the tense and complex alliances at play in Maharashtra's local body elections, where old rivalries and new partnerships are creating a volatile atmosphere. The incident in Sangola is likely to have repercussions for the cohesion within the ruling Mahayuti alliance as polling approaches.
