In a major revelation that could have political ramifications, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that contrary to popular perception, the investigations into the sudden death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput are still ongoing.
Fadnavis made this revelation in an interview with a TV news channel.
"In the beginning, the information available was based on hearsay. However, certain individuals claimed to possess substantial evidence related to the case. In response, we contacted them and urged them to provide the evidence to the police. Currently, we are in the process of assessing the credibility of the presented evidence. The investigation is still underway, and it would be premature for me to comment on the final outcome of the case at this stage," Fadnavis stated during the interview when asked about the CBI's involvement in the case.
Completion of one year of the Shinde-Fadnavis govt in the state
In an interview conducted on the completion of one year of the Shinde-Fadnavis government in the state, the BJP leader shared a significant revelation. Fadnavis disclosed that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar had complete knowledge of his decision to form the government with Ajit Pawar, but he withdrew his support three to four days before the unprecedented early morning swearing-in ceremony on November 23, 2019.
"Fadnavis reiterated that Ajit Pawar joined hands with the BJP only after receiving approval from his uncle Sharad Pawar," while responding to questions from Arnab Goswami. He further added, "If you wish to understand Sharad Pawar's enigma, you must delve into his history."
"When Uddhav ji stopped responding to our calls, we realised that he was not approaching us because he was solely interested in the CM's chair. At that time, some NCP members informed us that the NCP wanted to align with us. I want to emphasize that we had a meeting with Sharad Pawar, where it was decided that the BJP and the NCP would form the government. Ajit Pawar and I were to lead the government. However, suddenly, Pawar Sahab backed off," Fadnavis explained.
"What else could Ajit Pawar do? We had made all the preparations, and he had to join me. Otherwise, he would have been exposed. We took the oath, and Ajit Pawar believed that Pawar Sahab would be with us because we had numerous meetings. I want to reiterate that Sharad Pawar initiated the government formation during that time. It wasn't a spontaneous decision where Ajit Pawar and I suddenly went to take the oath," Fadnavis concluded.
Fadnavis: Uddhav Betrayed and Sharad Pawar Played a Double Game
While providing further details about the situation at that time, Fadnavis expressed, "I wouldn't say Sharad Pawar backstabbed us because he wasn't elected with us. I would say he played a double game. It was Uddhav ji who betrayed us."
Misquoted on 'Descendants of Aurangzeb'
Fadnavis also clarified the misunderstanding surrounding his statement on "Descendants of Aurangzeb," stating, "Aurangzeb was never a savior for Indian Muslims or the Muslims of Maharashtra. Aurangzeb cannot be considered a hero in India, and the relatives of the Turkic-Mongol Aurangzeb are not in India either."
"What's the problem, let me explain. We make statements in Marathi, and the national media doesn't understand what we said. Then the national media takes it out of context and misrepresents it. See, my point is that Aurangzeb was never a hero of this country, and maybe there are no descendants of Aurangzeb in this country. This Turkic-Mongol, as I read somewhere, there are 126 families in our country. Suddenly, in some districts of Maharashtra, people are displaying pictures of Aurangzeb, idolizing him, holding processions, and chanting slogans in his favor. So I wondered when Aurangzeb had so many children in Maharashtra. Because Aurangzeb can never be a messiah for the Muslims of Maharashtra. So it implies that there is some hidden agenda behind this, someone is instigating this," Fadnavis added.
"Prakash Ambedkar says Aurangzeb ruled for so many days elsewhere. I tell him that Hitler also ruled Germany for a long time, but nobody goes to Hitler's grave. Hitler cannot be a hero there. And just as Hitler cannot be a hero, Aurangzeb cannot be our hero," Fadnavis replied when asked another question.
Fadnavis Addresses Uddhav's Hindutva Stand
Regarding the ideology and Hindutva stand of Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis remarked, "The question arises, until yesterday, you used to refer to Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray as 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' (Emperor of Hindu hearts). Later, you stopped calling him Hindu Hriday Samrat. You (Thackeray) never published a calendar in Urdu, but now you have printed a calendar in Urdu and addressed Mr. Balasaheb Thackeray as Janaab (Urdu word for Mr.) Balasaheb Thackeray, not as Hindu Hriday Samraat or revered. Look, we are not against Muslims, but when someone (Uddhav) engages in so much appeasement and then claims to be practicing Hindutva."
"Our Hindutva, our concept of Hindutva, is not against Muslims. All we want to say is, don't indulge in appeasement in this country. The division of this country happened because of appeasement of any particular community. If there hadn't been a policy of appeasement at that time, why would the country have been divided? So, we don't want another partition. We have no objection to bringing Muslims into the mainstream of development," Fadnavis explained.
Sushant Singh Rajput's death
Sushant was found dead in his Bandra apartment on June 14, 2020, and he was reportedly battling depression. His family accused actress and his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty of abetting his suicide, cheating him, and illegally locking him up.
Sushant's death gave rise to a political slugfest in Maharashtra, and the case was eventually transferred to the CBI. Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate and Narcotics Control Bureau also joined the probe to investigate various angles in the death.
Several actors including Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan were questioned in the drugs case, but no substantial evidence was found. Rhea was arrested by the NCB in September 2020 and was released on bail after almost a month.
