News Analysis India

Tag: Chandrakant Patil

  • Ink attack on Maharashtra minister Patil: Police drop attempt to murder charge against accused

    By PTI

    PUNE: The Pimpri Chinchwad Police in Pune district of Maharashtra have dropped the attempt to murder charge against three persons arrested for allegedly throwing ink at state minister Chandrakant Patil, and also revoked the suspension of 10 police personnel in connection with the incident, a top official has said.

    The incident had occurred in Pimpri city on Saturday apparently as a mark of protest against minister Patil’s controversial remark about Dr B R Ambedkar and social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.

    Three people threw ink at Patil when he was stepping out of one of the office-bearer’s house, after which they had been arrested.

    Ten police personnel, including three officers, had been suspended for alleged security lapse following the incident.

    “We have dropped section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in a case registered against three accused, who were held for the ink attack on Patil. However, the other sections under which they were booked, will remain,” Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner Ankush Shinde said on Tuesday.

    The other sections invoked in the case are 120B (criminal conspiracy ), 355 (assault or use of criminal force to any person), 500 (defamation), and 34 (common intention), police said.

    “The suspension of 10 police personnel also has been revoked,” said Shinde.

    The development came a day after Patil sought the release of those who were arrested in connection with the ink attack and also demanded that the suspension of the police personnel be revoked.

    Speaking in Marathi at an event in Aurangabad last Friday, Patil, the Higher and Technical Education Minister, had said that Ambedkar and Phule did not seek government grants for running educational institutions, they “begged” people to gather funds for starting schools and colleges.

    The use of the word “begged” stirred up a controversy.

    After the ink attack, the police had also questioned a television journalist to find out if the latter is involved, however, was later allowed to go.

    PUNE: The Pimpri Chinchwad Police in Pune district of Maharashtra have dropped the attempt to murder charge against three persons arrested for allegedly throwing ink at state minister Chandrakant Patil, and also revoked the suspension of 10 police personnel in connection with the incident, a top official has said.

    The incident had occurred in Pimpri city on Saturday apparently as a mark of protest against minister Patil’s controversial remark about Dr B R Ambedkar and social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.

    Three people threw ink at Patil when he was stepping out of one of the office-bearer’s house, after which they had been arrested.

    Ten police personnel, including three officers, had been suspended for alleged security lapse following the incident.

    “We have dropped section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in a case registered against three accused, who were held for the ink attack on Patil. However, the other sections under which they were booked, will remain,” Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner Ankush Shinde said on Tuesday.

    The other sections invoked in the case are 120B (criminal conspiracy ), 355 (assault or use of criminal force to any person), 500 (defamation), and 34 (common intention), police said.

    “The suspension of 10 police personnel also has been revoked,” said Shinde.

    The development came a day after Patil sought the release of those who were arrested in connection with the ink attack and also demanded that the suspension of the police personnel be revoked.

    Speaking in Marathi at an event in Aurangabad last Friday, Patil, the Higher and Technical Education Minister, had said that Ambedkar and Phule did not seek government grants for running educational institutions, they “begged” people to gather funds for starting schools and colleges.

    The use of the word “begged” stirred up a controversy.

    After the ink attack, the police had also questioned a television journalist to find out if the latter is involved, however, was later allowed to go.

  • Ink attack: Maharashtra minister tenders apology, seeks release of those held, withdrawal of probe

    By PTI

    PUNE: Maharashtra minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Chandrakant Patil on Monday sought to end the tussle over his statement on legendary social reformers Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Phule by tendering an apology and asking that those arrested for the ink attack on him be released.

    The ink-throwing incident occurred at Pimpri Chichwad here on Saturday in an apparent protest against Patil’s statement that Ambedkar and Phule did not seek government grants for running educational institutions.

    The use of the word “begged” by Patil, who is the state’s minister for higher and technical education, stirred a controversy, leading to the ink attack.

    Police had arrested three people for the attack and is questioning a television journalist to find out if the latter is involved.

    Issuing a statement during the day, Patil said he has been paying tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jotiba Phule, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Karmveer Bhaurao Patil and has been following their teachings in action.

    “I have great respect for their great work. I had no intention of hurting anyone as I had uttered that word inadvertently in my dialectical language and I had already tendered my apology for that word,” Patil said in the statement.

    The events that took place after he made the comment was painful, he said, adding it was sad such accusations are being made against a person who is a “mavala” (soldier) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

    “I do not want Maharashtra to get disturbed on this issue. I once again tender my apology if anyone’s sentiments have been hurt,” said Patil.

    Stressing he had no complaints against anyone, the state minister said “those who have been arrested should be released and the suspension action against the police personnel and officers should be revoked”.

    Police had said on Sunday that 10 of their personnel had been placed under suspension for alleged lapses in duty that led to the ink attack.

    Patil said said action, if any, against journalists must also be withdrawn (by police).

    “I do not want to say anything about those who threw ink on my face. From my side, I am putting an end to this issue and request to stop the debate over it,” Patil said.

    PUNE: Maharashtra minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Chandrakant Patil on Monday sought to end the tussle over his statement on legendary social reformers Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Phule by tendering an apology and asking that those arrested for the ink attack on him be released.

    The ink-throwing incident occurred at Pimpri Chichwad here on Saturday in an apparent protest against Patil’s statement that Ambedkar and Phule did not seek government grants for running educational institutions.

    The use of the word “begged” by Patil, who is the state’s minister for higher and technical education, stirred a controversy, leading to the ink attack.

    Police had arrested three people for the attack and is questioning a television journalist to find out if the latter is involved.

    Issuing a statement during the day, Patil said he has been paying tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jotiba Phule, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Karmveer Bhaurao Patil and has been following their teachings in action.

    “I have great respect for their great work. I had no intention of hurting anyone as I had uttered that word inadvertently in my dialectical language and I had already tendered my apology for that word,” Patil said in the statement.

    The events that took place after he made the comment was painful, he said, adding it was sad such accusations are being made against a person who is a “mavala” (soldier) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

    “I do not want Maharashtra to get disturbed on this issue. I once again tender my apology if anyone’s sentiments have been hurt,” said Patil.

    Stressing he had no complaints against anyone, the state minister said “those who have been arrested should be released and the suspension action against the police personnel and officers should be revoked”.

    Police had said on Sunday that 10 of their personnel had been placed under suspension for alleged lapses in duty that led to the ink attack.

    Patil said said action, if any, against journalists must also be withdrawn (by police).

    “I do not want to say anything about those who threw ink on my face. From my side, I am putting an end to this issue and request to stop the debate over it,” Patil said.

  • Party can contest and win third Rajya Sabha seat if leadership asks: Maharashtra BJP chief

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil on Thursday said his party can field a third candidate for the June 10 Rajya Sabha elections and win that seat too if the central leadership instructed.

    Earlier in the day, the Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut and Sanjay Pawar filed their nomination papers for the elections to six Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra for which members of the state Assembly will be the electors.

    “If the central leadership instructs us, we will field a third candidate and win that seat as well. Going by the strength in the Assembly, two candidates of BJP can win easily,” Patil told reporters here.

    A candidate will need a quota of 42 votes to win. The BJP has enough votes to win two seats on its own. Ruling alliance partners Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress have the votes to get one candidate each elected separately, but together they can get another candidate elected to the Upper House of Parliament.

    Banking on this arithmetic, the Sena has decided to field two candidates in the election. The BJP has 106 MLAs in the 288-member Assembly.

    The strength of other parties is as follows: Shiv Sena 55, NCP 53, Congress 44, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi three, Samajwadi Party, AIMIM and Prahar Janshakti Party two each, MNS, CPM, Peasants and Workers Party, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, Swabhimani Party, Jansurajya Shakti and Krantikari Shetkari Party one each.

    There are 13 Independents, while one seat is vacant.

  • BJP will fight elections in Maharashtra on its own: State party chief Chandrakant Patil

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said the party will contest all coming elections in the state without any alliance.

    He was speaking to reporters after inducting former Parbhani district head of the NCP Vijay Varpudkar into the party.

    “We ceded control of the most of the Parbhani district to the Shiv Sena because we had alliance with it in the past. But with Varpudkar and his followers joining us now, the BJP has received more strength. The party will win upcoming polls in the district,” Patil said.

    “BJP workers should not forget that we are going to come to the power on our own. We need to work hard and there is no need to join hands and get cheated in the polls,” he said.

    “From now onwards, we would not have any alliance. We will contest elections on our own,” the state BJP chief added.

  • Letter war: BJP says Maharashtra CM Thackeray should respect Governor’s post

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Amid a letter war between Maharashtra Governor B S Koshyari and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the issue of crimes against women, state BJP president Chandrakant Patil on Wednesday said the CM should respect the governor’s post.

    Days after Koshyari wrote a letter to Thackeray for convening a special session of the state Assembly against the backdrop of the Sakinaka rape and murder, the CM on Monday hit back, saying the governor should request the Centre to call a session of Parliament to discuss issues concerning the safety of women and growing attacks on them.

    In his letter to the governor, Thackeray gave figures of crimes against women in BJP-ruled states, including Uttarakhand, the home state of Koshyari.

    Thackeray stated that such “instructions” by the governor could stoke a new controversy” and are damaging to the democratic parliamentary procedures.

    On Wednesday, state BJP chief Patil said, “CM Thackeray should respect the constitutional post of governor. If he is pointing fingers at other states, the decision to call for a special session would be theirs only. He should focus on improving the situation here.”

    Patil was talking to reporters after BJP’s Sanjay Upadhyay filed his nomination for the next month’s Rajya Sabha bypoll, necessitated due to the death of the sitting MP Rajiv Satav.

    A 34-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a stationary tempo parked on the roadside in the Sakinaka area of Mumbai earlier this month.

    The accused, a 45-year-old man, brutalised the victim by inserting a rod in her private parts.

    The woman died during treatment at a hospital.

  • BJP workers stage protests across Maharashtra for reopening of temples

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Workers and leaders of the opposition BJP on Monday staged protests in several cities in Maharashtra against the MVA government’s stand to not reopen temples as of now, which remain shut due to COVID-19 restrictions.

    At many places, social distancing norms were not adhered to while staging demonstrations. The protests, organised by the Aadhyatmik Aghadi (spiritual wing) of the BJP, were held in Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Nashik, Nagpur, Pandharpur, Aurangabad and other places where agitators rang bells and blew conches.

    In Mumbai, former minister and senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar led a demonstration at the famous Babulnath temple. However, police stopped the protestors from going near the temple. Mungantiwar told reporters that temples were open in the rest of the country but Maharashtra.

    Queried about the Central guidelines asking states to ensure that public gatherings are avoided in view of the upcoming festivals, Mungantiwar shot back asking, “Did the Centre ask to allow liquor shops to function and close temples? Did the state government take action against Shiv Sainiks who had protested against Union minister Narayan Rane? Local trains are open for fully vaccinated people. Why the same criterion cannot be applied and temples reopened?”

    Protests were also held in Thane and Palghar districts neighbouring Mumbai wherein BJP workers blew conches and rang bells. Holding placards and banners demanding reopening of temples, they shouted slogans against the state government at various places.

    Meanwhile, activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staged a protest in Thane city against the state government’s decision to not allow Dahi Handi celebrations on Tuesday. Maharashtra Congress spokesman Sachin Sawant, however, lashed out at the BJP saying the saffron party is “playing with the lives of devotees and don’t care for the Central government’s directives”.

    “People should be cautious and stay away from leaders and workers of the BJP as they may be carriers of coronavirus. Chandrakant Patil and others didn’t wear face masks,” he claimed. In Pune and Aurangabad, BJP workers tried to force their way into closed temples but were stopped by the police.

    Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil, who led the protest in Pune city outside the famous Kasba Ganpati temple, questioned the state government’s rationale behind allowing liquor and other shops to function but not extending the similar relaxation to temples and other places of worship.

    “Is fear of a projected third wave of the pandemic doesn’t apply for liquor outlets and other shops? Does coronavirus talk to them (the government) and says it will strike only if temples are reopened ?” Patil asked.

    He alleged Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was not allowing temples to reopen to “please his allies who do not believe in God and want to receive votes from minorities”. “If temples are not reopened people will not be able to control their sentiments anymore and will break open locks of temples to take blessings of deities. We are not agitating only for Hindus, our agitation is for people of all faiths,” Patil said.

    Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol wondered why temples are not allowed to reopen when hotels, public transport, malls etc are allowed to operate by the government. “Livelihood of thousands depend on temples but the state government, which has failed to handle the COVID-19 situation, is playing with the religious sentiments of the people and that is why BJP is agitating in the state to demand reopening of temples,” he said.

    In the temple town Pandharpur in the Solapur district, BJP workers staged a protest, following which they were detained, said Addl SP (Solapur rural) Atul Zende. In Nagpur in east Maharashtra, BJP workers blew conches at various temples as part of the “Shankhnaad” protest and appealed to the state government to reopen temples in the next seven days failing which they will reopen temples.

    BJP leader and former Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule participated in a protest held at the famous Koradi temple in Nagpur. “Reopening of temples is a demand of 12 crore people of Maharashtra. Social activist Anna Hazare has also said that he will join a protest for this cause. Temples across India are open except in Maharashtra. If the state government fails to reopen temples within the next seven days, BJP would reopen them,” he said.

    BJP spokesperson Chandan Goswami said the “Shankhnaad” protest was held at more than 150 temples in the Vidarbha region. In Aurangabad city in the Marathwada region, BJP workers said they will reopen temples during the Ganesh festival next month.

    Taking a dig at the Shiv Sena, BJP MLA Atul Save questioned its “Hindutva”, saying temples are open in other states except in Maharashtra where Sena is in power. “…And they call themselves ‘Hindutvawadi’ (pro-Hindu),” he wondered.

    “The government doesn’t consider feelings of Hindu devotees. Liquor shops, bars are open. The Shravan month is considered sacred for Hindus but temples remained shut. If the government fails to reopen temples, BJP workers will enter temples with devotees to take darshan of deities,” Save told reporters.

    Aurangabad district president Sanjay Kenekar termed the MVA as a Talibani government. “The state government speaks of secularism on one hand and the other hand, Namaz is allowed. But Hindus are not allowed to take darshan in temples. This is a Taliban government,” he alleged.

  • Big battle in BJP Maharashtra, incumbent state president Chandrakant Patil may go soon

    Express News Service

    Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil has been the eyes and nose of Amit Shah in Maharashtra, but his days seem to be numbered as state president.

    According to the highly placed sources in BJP, Maharashtra state president Chandrakant Patil is no more in the good books of Union minister Amit Shah. As a replacement, senior BJP leaders Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Ashish Shelar, a close confidant of Amit Shah, are going round. Devendra Fadnavis is pitching Bawankule’s name as president as an OBC face.

    “Patil’s extra adventurous decisions of cozying up with MNS chief Raj Thackeray has not gone down well with the Delhi leadership of the BJP in view of Uttar Pradesh state elections. Raj Thackeray is known for his anti north Indian stand. If the BJP allies with Thackeray for the upcoming municipal polls that will have larger repercussions damaging the north Indian vote bank and sending the wrong message ahead of crucial Uttar Pradesh state polls,” said sources requested anonymity.

    Chandrakant Patil was in Delhi and he returned back without meeting Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the other hand, Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Devendra Fadnavis met Amit Shah and discussed state issues as well.

    Patil tried to clarify that he had no schedule to meet Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. “But had I met both the leaders, it would have been a great visit to Delhi. I was told that they were busy in the ongoing monsoon session of parliament. People should not read much in my not meeting Amit Shah and Narendra Modi in Delhi visit,” Patil said.

    Sources said that the Patil-Fadnavis duo is not able to topple and counter the Maha Vikas Aghadi led by Uddhav Thackeray, successfully.

    “Delhi leadership of BJP are very much concerned about the Uttar Pradesh and Lok Sabha 2024. Maharashtra is the state that sends 48 members of parliaments that is big therefore they could not afford to lose Maharashtra for a long time. The RSS has also asked to get their act together as BJP organisation is in disarray,” said source requested anonymity.

  • Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil meets Raj Thackeray amid talks of poll tie-up

    By Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil on Friday met MNS president Raj Thackeray, giving rise to speculation about a possible tie-up as elections to the Mumbai civic body are due next year.

    Speaking to reporters after meeting Thackeray at the latter’s residence here, Patil said the alliance was not on the cards at the moment.

    “Raj told me that he does not hold any grudge against the non-Marathi people living in Mumbai. We still have some political differences and there is no proposal to join hands ahead of the polls at this moment,” the BJP leader said.

    To a question, Patil said, “I have told Raj Thackeray that the people of this state want you to be their leader, but you ought to change their perception of you. MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar said he can not disclose what transpired during the meeting, but “we will be happy if the two parties joined hands.”

    The Shiv Sena, headed by Raj’s estranged cousin and Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, has been controlling the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for over three decades.

    The MNS had won seven seats in the last BMC polls but six of its corporators later joined the Shiv Sena. The Sena won 97 seats while the BJP won 82 and Congress 31.

    Speaking to the media in Pune recently, Raj Thackeray, who took a strident anti-North Indian line after leaving the Shiv Sena over 15 years ago, had said he was not going to change his political stand for electoral benefits. “We (his party and the BJP) could agree on a non-aggression pact,” he had said.

    (With agency inputs)

  • Maharashtra govt cheated people with strict lockdown: BJP

    Patil said the state government has imposed a strict lockdown under the garb of a quot;mini lockdown quot;.

  • Lockdown not a solution for COVID-19 surge: BJP’s Chandrakant Patil

    By PTI
    PUNE: A day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asked officials to prepare a plan for implementation of a lockdown, state BJP president Chandrakant Patil said lockdown is not a solution for the rise in cases of coronavirus.

    Talking to reporters here after meeting Pune Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta, Patil said not the only BJP, but all traders and workers from unorganised sectors will oppose the lockdown.

    “Lockdown is not an answer to the increasing COVID-19 cases in the state. If the lockdown is imposed, you (state government) will not give any package (for relief to affected people). How people lived in the last one year cannot be understood by sitting inside ‘Matoshree’,” Patil said.

    ‘Matoshree’ is the residence of CM Thackeray in Bandra area of Mumbai.

    Patil said there is no objection to night curfew, but activities during the day should be continued.

    “I am okay with the night curfew. Nobody goes out at night. There are some people with you (in state government) who go out as they want nightlife,” the BJP leader said.

    He was apparently referring to state minister Aaditya Thackeray who had pitched for the revival of nightlife in Mumbai.

    “If you really want to impose lockdown, announce a package and give Rs 5,000 per month to every worker from the unorganised sector,” Patil said.

    Testing, tracing and treatment of COVID-19patients are the keys to check the spread of the viral infection, but lockdown is not an answer, he asserted.

    Asked about speculation in political circles that NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Union Home Minister Amit Shah met in Ahmedabad on Saturday, Patil said he has no details of it.

    “All such meetings take place routinely.

    In the Indian culture, politics is on one side, but we all should meet.

    Of late, such meetings have decreased in Maharashtra (among opponents),” he said.

    Patil said since Pawar and Shah were there (in Ahmedabad), they might have met.

    The NCP shares power in Maharashtra with the Shiv Sena and Congress.

    Asked whether he is okay if the BJP and NCP come together, Patil said whatever decision is taken by senior leadership of the BJP, it will be accepted as it will always be in the interest of the party.

    Patil also wished good health to Pawar (80), who will undergo surgery at a hospital in Mumbai after it was diagnosed that he has gall bladder issue.