Cong terms Supriya’s remark on Fadnavis carrying forward Dabholkar’s legacy ‘disappointing’; Baramati MP says statement misconstrued

Pune: Controversy erupted within MVA on Saturday after Congress criticised NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule for her alleged statement that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was carrying forward the legacy of slain rationalist Narendra Dabholkar through his action against Nashik-based astrologer Ashok Kharat, and the grand old party's state president Harshwardhan Sapkal appealed her to withdraw it.Supriya told TOI on Saturday that her statement was misconstruedand she meant to say that Fadnavis should carry forward the legacy of Dabholkar's progressive ideology.Supriya recently appreciated Fadnavis for the action against Kharat while interacting with reporters in Delhi. She said keeping aside politics, he had taken a stand in the case in the interest of Maharashtra.Recalling the contribution of Dabholkar, Baramati MP Supriya said, "Dabholkar spent his entire life in fighting against ill-practices and superstition in the society. He, in fact, sacrificed his life while creating awareness among common people. After his murder, the law against superstition was introduced in the state. We will have our political differences with the chief minister but it is good that he is carrying forward the same legacy."Sapkal criticised Supriya's statement and said, "Her statement is completely misleading and disappointing. Dabholkar spent his life in promoting progressive ideology, while Fadnavis supports the ideology which is regressive in nature."Sapkal said he was a member of the committee which created the draft of Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013. "Fadnavis supports those opposed the act and therefore, Supirya's statement is disappointing. She should immediately withdraw her statement," he said.Supriya told TOI, "Sapkal has all the right to make a statement and I will not object to it. However, I have not equated Dabholkar's contribution with Fadnavis' recent action. I was saying that the chief minister should carry forward the legacy of the progressive state of Maharashtra."