Ahead of Maharashtra local polls, it’s Sena vs BJP over ‘poaching’ issues

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Amid rising tensions between the two constituents of the governing alliance in Maharashtra over alleged poaching of functionaries ahead of the upcoming local body polls, Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat has launched a scathing attack on Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Chavan of BJP.

At a rally at Bhokar in Nanded district Tuesday night, Shirsat alleged Chavan had accumulated excessive wealth. “I wonder if Ashokrao eats bhakri (kind of a thick chapati) or currency notes. Why does Ashokrao need so much money?” Shirsat said.

He also targeted Chavan’s late father, former CM Shankarrao Chavan. “He used to claim Nanded would be transformed into London. I have visited Nanded multiple times. Forget the city, even Bhokar, his own hometown, remains in a bad shape to this day,” the social justice minister said.

Shirsat accused Chavan of mismanagement in urban planning, alleging that public roads were marked at the cost of open spaces & official layouts.

Chavan dismissed the comments as “irresponsible”. Speaking to the media in Nanded, the former CM said, “He has come here during the polls merely to pass time and divide votes. There is no basis for his comments, and such language does not suit a person holding a responsible post.”

Earlier, Sena MLC Hemant Patil had blamed Chavan for the breakdown of the alliance ahead of local polls. Chavan is also facing attacks from his arch-rival Pratap Patil Chikhalikar, the NCP MLA from Loha.
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