Maharashtra BJP chief clarifies statement, says no disrespect to Vilasrao Deshmukh

Chavan, while addressing an election rally in Latur on Monday, expressed confidence in the party's prospects in the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections, citing strong enthusiasm among party workers in Latur and suggested that the influence and legacy of Vilasrao Deshmukh would no longer hold sway in the city.

‘Vilasrao Deshmukh was a very tall leader,’ says Chavan

Clarifying his remarks, Chavan, in a video statement released by his office, said his comments were not intended to disrespect Vilasrao Deshmukh.
"Vilasrao Deshmukh was a very tall leader, and my statement was in no way against him," he said, reported ANI.

BJP vs Congress: Development agenda versus legacy politics

Chavan explained that his remarks during an election rally in Latur were aimed at highlighting the contrast between Congress' campaign strategy, which he said was centred around Vilasrao Deshmukh's legacy, and the BJP's focus on developmental works by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra.

‘Memories will be wiped out’ remark sparks controversy

"Everyone, raise your hands and say Bharat Mata ki Jai... In a true sense, seeing your enthusiasm, one can notice that it's a 100 per cent fact that memories of Vilasrao Deshmukh will be wiped out for this city, and there is no doubt about it," Ravindra Chavan said, reported ANI.

Chavan says statement was meant to compare agendas, not insult legacy

"When I reached in Latur, I saw that overall, Congress campaign for Municipal election was completely centralised on just Vilasrao Deshmukh and his personality… I was trying to compare the agenda of both parties which can take the city forward with vision of development. So I made that statement," he said, reported ANI.

Regret expressed after Riteish Deshmukh’s reaction

Regretting saying that statement, Chavan further added, "When I saw the statement of Vilas Rao Deshmukh's son (Actor Ritesh Deshmukh), who is my good friend, I want to only say that if my statement had hurt his sentiments, I regret that statement. But I had no intention to demean the late Vilas Rao Deshmukh ji."

Riteish Deshmukh responds emotionally, defends father’s legacy

The clarification comes after Riteish Deshmukh, on Tuesday, reacted strongly to Chavan's remarks about his late father, saying that what is merely written can be erased, but memories etched in people's hearts cannot be erased.

Responding to his remarks, Deshmukh, in an emotional video, said, "I say this with folded hands: the name of a person who lives for the people remains engraved in their hearts… Jai Maharashtra."

Who was Vilasrao Deshmukh

Vilasrao Deshmukh, a prominent Congress leader in Maharashtra, served as the state's 14th Chief Minister, holding office in two terms—from October 18, 1999, to January 16, 2003, and later from November 1, 2004, to December 5, 2008.

Political heat rises ahead of Maharashtra civic elections

The political battle in Maharashtra has intensified ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other municipal corporation elections across the state.

Polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, will be held on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for January 16.

(With inputs from ANI)