'Dirty politics' over loudspeaker, Hanuman Chalisa did not work: Raut on MVA's win in Maha bypoll
Mumbai(PTI): Hailing the victory of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance candidate in the bypoll to Kolhapur North Assembly constituency, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said the result showed that playing "dirty politics" over the issue of loudspeakers at mosques and recital of Hanuman Chalisa did not work.
Congress-MVA candidate Jayashri Jadhav on Saturday bagged 96,176 votes, while BJP's Satyajeet Kadam polled 77,426 votes. Jadhav emerged victorious by a margin of 18,750 votes, election officials said.
The by-election to this Assembly segment in Kolhapur district of western Maharashtra was necessitated following the death of sitting Congress MLA Chandrakant Jadhav due to COVID-19 in December 2021. Jayashri Jadhav is the late legislator's widow. Congress shares power with Shiv Sena and NCP in the state.
"When the campaign was at its peak in Kolhapur, the issue of loudspeaker at mosques and Hanuman Chalisa was brought up. But the people of Kolhapur have given them the answer and the loudspeakers have been removed. The politics of loudspeakers has ended today. Everybody knows who was behind the loudspeaker issue...," Raut said while targeting the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the opposition BJP.
In his two rallies held earlier this month, MNS chief Raj Thackeray had warned that if loudspeakers were not removed from mosques, then Hanuman Chalisa would be loudly played in front of these religious places. He also gave an 'ultimatum' to the state government to take action on his demand before May 3. The BJP has supported him over his demand.
Talking to reporters in Nashik, Raut further said, "Over the years, we have been celebrating Hanuman Jayanti and Ram Navami with religious fervour peacefully. But this time there were communal riots on the day of Ram Navami. This did not happen in the past. There were riots in 10 states on Ram Navami. Creating riots wherever there are elections and winning the polls is the BJP's strategy now."
The Sena MP alleged that attempts were being made to create a communal discord in the states going to polls in a few months. The Hijab issue was over after the Uttar Pradesh elections and now new issues like loudspeakers have come up, he said.
"In 1987, Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray gave a call for Hindutva and won the Vile Parle by-election. Some people are a cheap copy of the late Sena supremo. But it is of no use...Those who have taken Hindutva on rent should not teach Hindutva to us. Those who boast of reciting the Hanuman Chalisa cannot say even the first two stanzas of it by heart. They cannot even recite the national anthem and Vande Mataram," Raut said in comments apparently targeted at Raj Thackeray.
"Creating communal riots and winning elections is a pattern and package now. But it will divide the country into pieces. Playing loudspeakers up to the permissible decibel limits are allowed...The politics of loudspeakers is leading to social unrest. Even the two great Hindutva leaders Swantantryaveer Savarkar and Balasaheb Thackeray did not raise the issue. No one should do it," Raut said.
"With the result of this bypoll, this dirty politics has ended," he said.
Raut visited the famous Kalaram temple in Nashik in the morning, where he offered prayers.
Meanwhile, NCP spokesman Mahesh Tapase said the people of Kolhapur have given a "befitting reply to BJP's communal politics".
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
3 killed, 15 injured in fire after blast at firecracker unit in MP's Dewas; CM orders probe
Dewas/Indore (PTI): At least three workers were killed and 15 persons injured after a fire broke out following an explosion at a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district on Thursday, an official said.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident and ordered an investigation. The state government will provide an assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased, and the injured will receive free treatment, he said in a post on X.
Three persons were killed in the fire at the firecracker unit located in Tonk Kalan area, and around 15 injured persons were sent to hospitals in Indore and Dewas, Collector Rituraj Singh told reporters after inspecting the site.
Videos of the aftermath surfaced on social media, showing thick white smoke billowing from the factory along the Agra–Mumbai national highway. The clips also showed people rushing the injured for treatment amid cries for help, with body parts seen scattered at the site.
The collector said the fire has been brought under control. The administration has taken possession of explosives stored at another location within the unit, he said.
The work to manufacture small firecrackers at the factory of a person named Anil Malviya had begun only 15 days ago, and a licence has been issued for the unit, the collector said.
A detailed investigation is underway into the incident, he added.
CM Yadav said, "I have directed Deputy Chief Minister and Dewas district guardian minister Jagdish Devda, the home secretary and senior officials to visit the spot. An inquiry has also been ordered into the incident."
Local residents said there was a massive explosion at the factory, and the victims' body parts were found scattered far away from the site.
They said construction work was underway at the site and different sheds were being built there.
