Anil Deshmukh attacked in Maharashtra’s Katol; Son Salil blames BJP, says Nagpur at risk | WATCH
Nagpur: Salil Deshmukh, the Katol constituency candidate and son of NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh, has accused the BJP of orchestrating an alleged attack on his father. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Salil said the BJP does not want Katol and Nagpur to remain safe as they fear an imminent defeat in the upcoming election.
"From Gramin Rugnalaya, I reached the Katol police station, where his (Anil Deshmukh) temporary dressing was done, and then he was urgently referred to Nagpur's Alexis Hospital. People accompanying Anil Deshmukh have filed a complaint. Thousands of people gathered, and I appealed to them to maintain peace. It's evident that the BJP is facing a significant defeat here, and they believe that with Amit Shah as the Union Home Minister and Devendra Fadnavis as the Deputy Chief Minister and Maharashtra Home Minister, they can act without accountability. They do not want Katol and Nagpur to remain safe. I haven't spoken to Anil Deshmukh ji yet, as I don't think it's the right time. Doctors are attending to him, and I trust he is receiving proper treatment."
Salil Deshmukh is contesting the Katol seat under the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, going up against BJP candidate Charansingh Thakur.
The incident occurred on the Katol-Jalalkheda Road, where Anil Deshmukh's car was allegedly attacked with stones, leaving the NCP-SCP leader injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The attack took place on the final day of campaigning for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) leader and former Maharashtra minister sustained injuries in the attack. The BJP has yet to respond to the allegations.
The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23.
The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), aims to reclaim power in the state, challenging the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the BJP, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, and Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.
ANI