Nagpur: Days after exchanging sharp criticisms, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior NCP leader Anil Deshmukh shared the stage at the inauguration of Niyojan Bhavan, the new district planning building in Sadar, Nagpur, on Friday. The palpable tension between the two leaders was evident as neither made eye contact nor exchanged words throughout the ceremony.
The seating arrangement on the stage ensured that Fadnavis and Deshmukh were kept apart, with several BJP leaders sitting between them. Deshmukh was observed conversing with Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule and MLC Parinay Fuke, but he and Congress MLA Nitin Raut remained seated during key moments of the event, including the felicitation of officials and the release of the coffee table book “Hrudayastha Nagpur” (Nagpur in the Heart).
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Tue 21 Oct. 2024
The strained relationship between Fadnavis and Deshmukh stems from a political controversy ignited on July 24, when Deshmukh accused Fadnavis of pressuring him to file false affidavits against prominent Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders. Deshmukh alleged that he was offered protection from central enforcement agencies in exchange for framing former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aaditya, former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and former minister Anil Parab in fabricated cases.
In response, Fadnavis vehemently denied the accusations, asserting that Deshmukh’s own party members had provided incriminating evidence against him. Fadnavis warned that he would make this evidence public if the NCP continued to level allegations against him.
The awkward and tense moments at the Niyojan Bhavan inauguration reflect the deep-rooted political discord between Fadnavis and Deshmukh. As both leaders navigate the political landscape, their strained relationship remains a focal point of attention.
