CM Devendra Fadnavis defends minister who carried revolver at kids’ event

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended his Cabinet colleague and Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, who attended an event for deaf and dumb children with a revolver tucked in his waist, saying he has not broken any law.

Fadnavis said the Opposition was trying to create an unnecessary controversy. “Mahajan has a licence to carry weapon for last two decades. Licence holder is expected to carry the weapon and not keep it at home,” he said.

[related-post]

However, he agreed that the weapon was visible while the minister attended a function and necessary directives would be given to him in this regard.

When the matter was raised in the Council, Fadnavis said, “Girish Mahajan has a licence for keeping a weapon. He is carrying it with him from the last 25 years. A licence is given only when a person needs to keep a revolver for his safety. He has not broken any law by carrying a revolver.”

“His revolver was tucked in his waist and a controversy was created out of it by news channels when a portion of the pistol became visible inadvertently,” Fadnavis said.

Earlier, both Congress and NCP rocked the state assembly and council demanding the resignation of Mahajan. The Opposition also staged a walkout from the state legislature assembly.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar demanded sacking of Mahajan. “Why was the minister trying to scare the citizens by displaying his weapon?” Pawar asked.

Leader of Opposition in Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and NCP member Chhagan Bhujbal also criticized Mahajan. They demanded a statement from the government and discussion on the matter.

Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde said the minister’s conduct was inappropriate and that he would issue necessary directives to the government in this regard.

Shiv Sena leader and state environment minister Ramdas Kadam said that if the minister was carrying a licensed weapon, there should be no problem.