Background of the Incident
Former Maharashtra Home Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Anil Deshmukh sustained minor head injuries on Monday evening due to an alleged stone-pelting incident while returning to Katol near Nagpur from a poll rally. Unidentified individuals threw stones at his car, prompting immediate medical attention. Harrsh Poddar, Superintendent of Police (SP), Nagpur Rural, confirmed that Deshmukh’s CT scan came back normal and he is being treated for superficial injuries at Alexis Superspeciality Hospital in Nagpur.
Law Enforcement Response
In the aftermath of the attack, Poddar stated that the assailants had yet to be identified, and an investigation was underway. “I am headed to the spot, and we have launched a probe,” he mentioned, emphasizing the seriousness of the incident. Following the attack, supporters of the MVA (Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi) marched to the Katol police station, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible. The protests continued until late evening, with Deshmukh’s son, Salil Deshmukh, urging supporters to disperse.
Political Reactions
The incident has elicited strong reactions from various political figures. Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat condemned the attack and criticized BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, alleging a breakdown of law and order in Nagpur, Fadnavis’s home district. NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase called for the Election Commission to recognize the gravity of the situation, questioning whether the attack was politically motivated.
Supriya Sule, NCP’s working president, described the attack as “unfortunate and alarming,” stating that such acts were not typical in past elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut echoed these sentiments, suggesting a need for a thorough investigation to determine if there was a deeper conspiracy at play, particularly in light of Deshmukh’s recent revelations in a published book.
Deputy CM’s Accusations
In a dramatic twist, Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the stone-pelting incident as “pure fiction,” likening it to a cinematic plot crafted by the MVA to gain sympathy ahead of the upcoming elections. He expressed skepticism over the details, questioning why the car showed no signs of damage if a heavy stone had indeed been hurled. “If the stone came from behind, how did Deshmukh get injuries on his forehead?” he remarked, suggesting a narrative crafted to divert attention from the challenges facing Salil Deshmukh in his electoral battle against BJP’s Charansingh Thakur.
Ongoing Investigation
In light of the incident, the Nagpur Rural Police have initiated an attempt to murder case against four unidentified individuals. Anil Deshmukh was campaigning for his son Salil, who is contesting from the Katol constituency in the looming Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20, with results to be counted three days later, on November 23. This incident has added an unexpected layer of tension to an already charged electoral atmosphere, reminiscent of a political thriller.
Conclusion
As speculation grows surrounding the motivations behind the attack on Deshmukh, and with both sides pointing fingers at each other, the political drama continues to unfold in Maharashtra. Whether this is a calculated move to garner sympathy or a genuine act of violence, the implications for the upcoming assembly elections are significant. The narrative is evolving, and political pundits are keenly watching how it will play out in the coming days.
