BJP MLC Gopichand Padalkar on Wednesday made a controversial remark terming Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar as "coronavirus" that has infected Maharashtra.
Several NCP leaders and workers strongly condemned and protested against Padalkar's remark in Pune on Thursday. An FIR was also registered against BJP MLC Gopichand Padalkar under Section 505-2 (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Baramati police station.
On Friday Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar chaired a meeting to review the COVID-19 situation at Pune's council hall. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, Health Minister Rajesh Tope and other officials.
After the meeting the media waited for Pawar to react on the Padalkar's controversial remarks. However, when asked about Gopichand Padalkar's remarks Pawar said,"I want to speak on the issue, but not now, I will speak in detail soon.
Earlier, while reacting to Gopichand Padalkar's statement, Devendra Fadnavis said, "I had a word with Padalkar. I told him that though Pawar saheb is our political opponent he is not our enemy. I told him that forget Pawar saheb, making such remarks against any senior leader is not appropriate."