MUMBAI: The opposition demanded Sunday the resignation of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis over the murder of NCP’s ex-MLA Baba Siddique, questioning how the public could feel secure if a governing party politician was murdered.
Congress also sought Union home minister Amit Shah’s resignation, saying “a double engine govt demands double responsibility”.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi expressed shock over the murder in posts put out on X.
“The govt must take responsibility, and justice must prevail,” Rahul said, while Kharge wrote that “justice must be ensured, and Maharashtra govt must order a thorough and transparent investigation… Accountability is paramount”.
Congress functionary Vijay Wadettiwar said: “Mahayuti govt should put up a hoarding telling the public ‘You look after your own security. We cannot look after your security’.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray weighed in, saying instead of providing security to the public, govt is providing security cover to traitors and their children, even their drivers.
“Where are the three Singhams now-the CM and the two deputy CMs?” asked Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, while alleging that CM Shinde interfered in the running of the police department.
“The police force is being used for extortion or to target opponents. Its posts are being filled through corruption. What can the public expect (from it)?” he added.
In response, Fadnavis said the opposition was focused only on the chair. “We are focused on Maharashtra, its development and safety. Let them keep their focus on the chair and say what they want to say,” he said.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, party spokesperson Ragini Nayak and Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra and Congress minority department chairman Imran Pratapgarhi accused state govt of letting law and order slide downhill.
Nayak said CM Shinde, Fadnavis, and Union home minister Shah should resign. “If this does not happen, the public is ready to remove them from office,” she said.
