Mumbai: The barbs have turned into flowers, with words of fulsome praise. Indicating that the bitterness between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is over, Shiv Sena UBT spoke highly of the initiatives taken by Fadnavis for the development of Gadchiroli district.
A Rare Instance Of Political Unity
In a rare instance of political unity, praise has come for the CM, particularly for his ambition to transform the Naxal-infested district into a steel city. First, MLC Milind Narvekar, considered very close to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, congratulated CM Fadnavis and State Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla.
Narvekar tweeted his congratulations shortly after Walmik Karad, an accused in an extortion case in Beed and with alleged links to the killing of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, surrendered to the police. Narvekar’s tweet became a talking point in state political circles, especially since both the police and the state government had been criticized for their handling of the Beed case.
Now, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana, in its editorial published on Friday, praised Fadnavis for his efforts to turn the Naxal-hit Gadchiroli district into a steel city. Referring to the CM as ‘Deva Bhau’ for the first time since the political fallout, the editorial stated that Fadnavis would do something new in the district, bringing a positive change to the lives of the tribals there. It further noted that in order to fulfill his promise of beginning a new chapter of development in the region, Fadnavis must translate his road map into reality.
Statement Of Shiv Sena-UBT Leader Sanjay Raut
Later, speaking to the media, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, “We have praised Devendra Fadnavis because the government has done a good job. Maharashtra is our state, and a place like Gadchiroli, which is affected by Naxalism – if the Naxalites have surrendered and opted for the constitutional path, we welcome that.”
Without directly naming Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Raut continued, “The earlier guardian minister could have done this – but instead, he appointed his agents and collected money, which only fueled Naxalism. We have worked with Devendra Fadnavis – that relationship continues, but we are in the opposition, and we will continue to raise important issues.”
As previously reported, CM Fadnavis stated that Maharashtra would soon be free from the Naxal menace, given the rise in the number of Maoists laying down their arms and the movement’s failure to attract new recruits. He also inaugurated the steel plant of Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd.
“If what the chief minister has said turns out to be true, it is a positive development for Maharashtra,” the editorial noted. “While guns rule Beed, if there is a rule of law in Gadchiroli, CM Fadnavis deserves praise,” it added. In response to the praise, CM Fadnavis simply said, “It’s good. Thank you.”
NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule On CM’s Visit To Gadchiroli
NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule also joined in, stating that the CM’s visit to Gadchiroli was a good thing. “Despite the government having such a huge mandate, only one person seems to be actively working, and that is Devendra Fadnavis.”
The words of approval for the CM by MVA leaders clearly show a thaw in the strained relations between the BJP and the main opposition. As the election season concludes, the MVA leaders may seek the state government’s assistance to undertake development work in their constituencies, according to political sources. It is noteworthy that similar praise has not yet been extended to Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
