"Allegations of Gangster Recruitment in Maharashtra Political Parties Renewed by Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress"

The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress party have once again accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP of actively seeking to enlist gangsters into their respective parties.

Following a recent incident where Parth Pawar, son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, met with a Pune gangster, there are growing concerns about gangsters aligning themselves with political parties.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut shared photos of gangsters interacting with political figures, including a picture of a Pune gangster meeting CM Shinde's son, MP Shrikant Shinde, at the CM’s official residence. Additionally, another photo showed a gangster from Pimpri-Chinchwad meeting Ajit Pawar in Mumbai.

The involvement of gangsters like Nilesh Ghaiwal, associated with the Gajanan Marne gang, has raised alarm, especially regarding their influence in criminal activities in Pune's Kothrud area.

Shiv Sena alleges that Ajit Pawar's NCP is also recruiting gangsters, citing instances of gangsters meeting with political leaders. They accuse the Mahayuti parties of planning to deploy gangsters during elections to intimidate voters.

MPCC chief Nana Patole condemned the spread of "goonda raj" in Maharashtra, blaming the Mahayuti government for supporting such a culture. Opposition leader Ambadas Danve echoed similar sentiments, labeling Maharashtra as a 'goonda raj' state due to gangsters visiting the Chief Minister's residence.

However, representatives from the Shinde-led Sena and NCP defended the meetings, stating that it's impossible to screen everyone who meets the Chief Minister and his deputy, and some individuals may have legitimate reasons for their visits.

Shinde-led Sena spokesperson Naresh Mhaske emphasized that many people visit the Chief Minister for various reasons, making it challenging to vet their backgrounds on the spot. Similarly, NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil clarified that not everyone meeting the Deputy Chief Minister undergoes background checks, and some may have innocuous reasons for their visits, such as organizing events.