Setting sights on oppn, CM defends firing, says cops can’t treat firearms like showpieces

Pune: CM Eknath Shinde on Sunday responded to the opposition's remarks questioning the killing of Badlapur sexual assault case accused Akshay Shinde in a police action. "Were police supposed to treat their firearms like showpieces? Had police not reacted the way they did, the opposition would have still blamed the police," he said.The CM was in Pune to attend the virtual inauguration of a stretch of Pune Metro line and the foundation laying ceremony of other projects by PM Narendra Modi. The events, to be held on Sept 26, were cancelled over a heavy rain alert for Pune. The opposition targeted govt over the delay in the opening of the stretch, with MVA members demanding that the line be opened for the convenience of citizens."The opposition constantly changes its stance. After the Prime Minister's visit was cancelled, the opposition blamed govt for causing inconvenience to citizens. Had we gone ahead with the event despite the rain, they would have still blamed us. In the Badlapur incident, MVA members kept changing their stance, but the people of Maharashtra will show them their place," said the CM.