Supriya Sule warns Devendra Fadnavis of protest over Kopardi rape

BJP has termed her aggressive stand a part of the “succession war” in the NCP.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has upped its ante against the BJP-led state government over the Maratha protests. NCP MP Supriya Sule gave chief minister Devendra Fadnavis a two-day deadline on Thursday to file a charge sheet in Kopardi teenager’s rape and murder case, which had triggered the silent protests by Marathas.

BJP has termed her aggressive stand a part of the “succession war” in the NCP.

“NCP activists will take to roads to provide justice to the victim’s family if CM Devendra Fadnavis fails to ensure that a charge sheet is filed within two days,” Sule said while addressing a party meeting in Nashik.

Sule went to say that Fadnavis’ address to his party workers at the BJP state executive meeting was ‘unfortunate’. “It’s unfortunate that CM is using the language of vendetta and revenge. We are not going to be scared by this talk,” said Sule .

Earlier, Fadnavis, in his address to workers, had said that they should not be worried about the Opposition, as he had enough arsenal to destroy them. He was referring to the ongoing irrigation probe in which NCP senior leaders Ajit Pawar (Sule’s cousin) and state party president Sunil Tatkare stand accused.

Another senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal was imprisoned in the money laundering case after the Fadnavis government took over and gave approval for an open inquiry against him. The executive meeting, though wasn’t open to the media, the CM’s speech was leaked and reported by news organisations.

Reacting to the remarks, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, “This is an indication to other NCP leaders — Ajit Pawar per se — that she is the new successor of party chief Sharad Pawar and thus the chief minister is being targeted for no reason,” Bhandari said.

Congress too stepped in the fight against BJP. “The mentality of the state government, which is acting vengeful against the Opposition leaders, has been exposed with this,” said Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil leader of Opposition in the state assembly.