Overview
- Ravindra Chavan told BJP workers in Latur that the “memories of Vilasrao Deshmukh would be wiped out” from the city, drawing immediate backlash.
- On Tuesday he apologized to Deshmukh’s son, calling the remark non-political and urging a focus on civic issues, while sidestepping a direct apology to Latur residents.
- Riteish Deshmukh responded in a video that leaders who lived for the people are “etched” in public memory and cannot be erased.
- Amit Deshmukh condemned the comments as hurtful to Latur’s people, as BJP figures including Raosaheb Danve and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis framed the remark as misinterpreted and not intended as an insult.
- The controversy has become a campaign flashpoint with protests and statements from both parties as voting for 29 municipal corporations approaches on January 15.