Congress demands action after Maharashtra Minister Zirwal’s video goes viral on social media

According to PTI, the Congress alleged that the video shows Zirwal, who is the Food and Drugs Administration Minister, in a compromising position with the transwoman at his official residence. The party condemned the incident, calling it a reflection of moral decline in Maharashtra politics and describing the minister’s conduct as a "blot on public life."

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar attributed the emergence of the video to a tussle between ruling allies. "This is nothing but a gang war within the government, where the ruling parties are trying to finish each other. This is not good for Maharashtra. We hang our heads in shame. The same is the case with (arrested self-styled godman) Ashok Kharat, who exploited so many women. All these developments are not good for Maharashtra," he said.

Wadettiwar added that, according to available information, Zirwal was with a transgender person, and the latter’s brother allegedly made the video viral as part of a blackmail attempt. "What Zirwal did at his official residence with that transgender individual is absolutely wrong," he said.

Harshwardhan Sapkal calls viral video objectionable

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal described the incident as a stark example of moral decline in state politics. "The objectionable video of minister Narhari Zirwal going viral on social media is not just an incident, but a glaring example of moral degradation in Maharashtra politics," he said in a social media post.

"A responsible public representative, entrusted with the faith of the people and taxpayers’ money, indulging in such obscene and unethical behaviour is extremely condemnable. This is not just a breach of personal boundaries, but a blot on public life," Sapkal added. He further stressed that elected representatives are expected to adhere to basic standards of morality, reported PTI. 

"At the very least, a minister elected by the people is expected to follow a framework of ethics. However, the video clearly shows that these expectations have been completely violated," he said, demanding immediate action against Zirwal. "The Chief Minister must, without any delay, remove Zirwal from the ministerial post."

“Cannot comment without full details,” says Jayant Patil

When reporters sought NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil’s reaction to the video on Wednesday evening, he refused to comment, saying he had not watched it. "It would be better to comment if I am aware of the details. I cannot comment right now," Patil said, the news agency reported. 

Social activist Anjali Damania told reporters on Thursday that a senior minister like Zirwal should have been mindful of propriety. "He should have realised what he was doing, especially in government accommodation," she said. "It is clear that the video was shot and made viral with an intention to blackmail," she added, demanding a thorough probe.

Last month, opposition parties had demanded Zirwal’s resignation following bribery allegations involving his office staffer at the state secretariat. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had caught FDA clerk Rajendra Dherange allegedly accepting a Rs 35,000 bribe at Mantralaya in south Mumbai on February 12. Zirwal’s private secretary, Dr Ramdas Gade, was also relieved of his post and directed to report back to his parent department following a related sting operation.

(With PTI inputs)

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