Chavan apologises after Vilasrao remark; ‘What is etched can’t be erased’, says Riteish
Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan drew flak for saying that former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh’s memories would soon be ‘wiped off’ from Latur.
The remark did not go down well with Deshmukh’s sons—Congress MLA Amit Deshmukh, former MLA Dhiraj Deshmukh, and actor Riteish Deshmukh—the Maharashtra Congress, and other Opposition leaders, who were quick to attack Chavan. (PTI Photo)
Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan on Tuesday apologised to the sons of late former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, a day after his remark suggesting that Deshmukh’s memories would soon be “wiped off” from Latur drew widespread condemnation.
“Vilasrao was a very tall leader, he served as the chief minister. In Latur, the Congress seeks votes by focusing solely on Vilasrao’s legacy. Therefore, I was highlighting the developmental work done there under the leadership of Narendra Modi. That was the context of my statement. Nevertheless, if my words have hurt the feelings of his sons—who are very good friends of mine—then I certainly express my apologies to them. I would only tell his sons not to view this through a political lens,” Chavan said.
Speaking to reporters in Dhule, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Deshmukh has served as CM of Maharashtra. Everybody has high reverence for Deshmukh. His memories can never be wiped off.”
Defending Chavan, the CM said, “State BJP president Ravindra Chavan has already clarified his stand… He said the remark was in context of certain record of his tenure and not a comment on his leadership.”
Addressing a poll campaign rally at Marathwada’s Latur on Monday, ahead of the upcoming municipal corporation polls in the state, Chavan had said, “Your enthusiasm shows that the memories of Vilasrao will be wiped off 100 per cent from this city.”
The remark did not go down well with Deshmukh’s sons—Congress MLA Amit Deshmukh, former MLA Dhiraj Deshmukh, and actor Riteish Deshmukh—the Maharashtra Congress, and other Opposition leaders, who were quick to attack Chavan.
Latur, one of the key cities in Marathwada, was Deshmukh’s hometown, and the progress of this city is attributed to his leadership. A Congressman and a former Union minister, he started his career as a village sarpanch. The two-time Maharashtra chief minister passed away in 2012 and remains one of the most revered figures in state politics.
“The life of every person in Latur is touched by the work of the late Vilasrao Deshmukh. His memories are engraved on their minds. BJP leaders should realise that those memories will not be wiped off because of the statements made by an outsider,” son Amit said, adding that it was an unexpected remark by Chavan.
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Riteish too, without naming anyone, issued a video statement saying that written names can be wiped off, but those etched can never be. Dhiraj also said that the BJP can never understand the relationship between Latur and the late Vilasrao Deshmukh.
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshavardhan Sapkal slammed Chavan, highlighting the BJP leader’s past, questioning his stature for “dishonouring a leader like Vilasrao”. “The BJP works to destroy legacies. Vilasrao was not the leader of Latur alone; he influenced the entire state, especially Marathwada. A person like Chavan, with a questionable past, should think twice about the person on whom he was speaking,” said Sapkal.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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