Shiv Sena Demands Dismissal of Maharashtra Govt Over Deteriorating Law and Order

Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut demanded the dismissal of the Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra over the worsening law and order situation in the state, citing the recent shooting incident inside a police station that claimed the life of an opposition leader.

The Shiv Sena UBT (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction on Friday demanded the dismissal of the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra, citing the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The demand came after a leader of the opposition party was shot dead and another politician was injured in a gun attack inside a police station.

Sanjay Raut Blames Ruling Party and Home Minister

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut alleged that the ruling party's MPs and MLAs were threatening policemen. He also targeted Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, and demanded his resignation over the law and order situation. Raut criticized Fadnavis' handling of the state's internal security and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of imposing the current government on Maharashtra.

Calls for President's Rule

Raut demanded that the chief minister be sacked and President's Rule be imposed in the state. He challenged the Centre to dismiss the government if it had the courage. Raut claimed that the crime rate has increased since the Eknath Shinde-led government took office in June 2022.

Recent Attacks on Shiv Sena Leaders

The demand for the government's dismissal comes in the wake of two recent attacks on Shiv Sena leaders. On Thursday evening, Shiv Sena UBT leader and former corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar was shot dead during a 'Facebook Live' session by a 'social activist' in the northern suburb of Borivali West. The assailant, Mauris Noronha, killed himself moments later. Last week, a BJP MLA was caught on camera firing at a Shiv Sena leader inside a police station in Ulhasnagar in the adjoining Thane district, leaving him critically injured over a dispute.

Raut's Warning to Police Personnel

Raut alleged that the police have become protectors of mobsters and warned that the Shiv Sena UBT has a list of police personnel posted in Thane and Mumbai who are members of the Shinde Sena. He threatened that these individuals will be dealt with after the 2024 state assembly polls.

Uddhav Thackeray Meets Ghosalkar's Family

Meanwhile, Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray met Ghosalkar's family members at their residence. Abhishek's last rites were conducted in suburban Dahisar in the presence of prominent Shiv Sena UBT leaders. Noronha was buried at a graveyard near Mahalaxmi in central Mumbai, according to police sources.