Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Former leader of the opposition Ambadas Danve on Sunday strongly criticised the state government, alleging that a government claiming to be pro-Hindutva was “insulting women.”
Danve termed it disturbing that EVMs used in the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections were found at a roadside dhaba. Questioning the lapse, he asked how EVMs transported in government vehicles reached a dhaba and who was responsible, alleging that such incidents give the impression that the Election Commission is indirectly helping the ruling party. Referring to Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Ramdas Kadam’s statement favouring ballot paper voting over EVMs, Danve said Kadam had expressed a correct opinion after a long time and, as a ruling party leader, should advise the BJP accordingly. On MLA Vilas Bhumre visiting a polling booth with his son, Danve said it should be viewed as fulfilling a child’s insistence and that responsibility lay with election officials, adding that Bhumre was not at fault. Commenting on actor Salman Khan’s presence at an RSS programme, Danve said the RSS is a Hindutva organisation and Salman Khan is an Indian citizen, so there should be no objection. Responding to questions raised by MLA Amol Mitkari on Ajit Pawar’s accidental death, Danve asked why only five bodies were found if six people were involved and how documents survived if the bodies were completely burnt. He said these questions must be answered publicly, adding that he does not believe Ajit Pawar is alive or will return.