Meanwhile, MVA Opposes Nikam as Prosecutor, Arguing a BJP Member Can’t Investigate a BJP-Run School.
As the Opposition, with upcoming elections in mind, has devised a strategy to pressure the government by calling for a state bandh on August 24 over the Badlapur sexual assault case, CM Eknath Shinde has claimed that Tuesday’s protest was politically motivated and orchestrated. “Protests don’t occur like this; the number of local participants could be counted on one hand,” he remarked.
Most of the protesters were transported in from outside, carrying placards opposing the ‘CM Ladki Bahin Yojna’—the government’s ambitious cash assistance program for women,” Shinde stated. He noted that although Minister Girish Mahajan had agreed to the protesters’ demands, they refused to vacate the railway tracks they had occupied for over 10 hours. “It was evident that their intent was to tarnish the government’s image,” Shinde added, emphasizing that the Opposition has issues with the scheme.
Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, who were scheduled to discuss seat-sharing for the upcoming Assembly elections on Wednesday, instead focused on the Badlapur incident and decided to call for a statewide bandh on August 24. State Congress President Nana Patole, serving as a nodal spokesperson, stated that the school where the incidents occurred is affiliated with the BJP and RSS. “The issue is being covered up to protect the school’s reputation. CCTV footage from the school is missing. We urge the people of Maharashtra to join the bandh,” he added.
Patole stated that MVA leaders postponed their seat-sharing discussions to address the urgent issue of crimes against women. “The government is spending heavily on organizing large events for the Ladki Bahin scheme, yet women remain unprotected. We question whether this government is truly functioning. The fact that the police made the victim’s mother wait for hours at the station raises serious concerns. Who is this government trying to protect in this case?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) deputy leader Sushma Andhare declared that the sit-in protest outside the Badlapur police station would continue until the Chief Minister and Home Minister resign. She also demanded the immediate withdrawal of police cases against the protesting parents.
‘Why Nikam?’
Opposition leader in the Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, opposed the appointment of Ujjwal Nikam as the special prosecutor in the Badlapur sexual assault case. He argued that both Nikam and the school management were connected to the BJP, suggesting that Nikam was brought in to shield party affiliates. In response, Nikam accused Wadettiwar of being a habitual offender when it came to making baseless allegations.