Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar lands in controversy after Oppn demands criminal case

The video that has surfaced on social media shows Narwekar purportedly saying, “How can you have police protection and still want to protest here? I will have to remove your protection tomorrow.” Narwekar is then heard instructing one of his colleagues to call the joint commissioner of police (protection), Mumbai, and saying, “On what grounds have you been given police protection? There should be no security for you. You don’t deserve it.”

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed CCTV footage linked to filing of nominations on December 30 at the RO office had gone missing. “This is a very serious matter. What answer will Rahul Narwekar give me? His political journey began in the Shiv Sena. As per my information, CCTV footage after 4 pm (on December 30) has been removed. How can the Assembly Speaker’s CCTV footage go missing,” Raut asked.

Another former MP Haribhau Rathod too claimed that Narwekar objected to his presence when he had gone to file his son’s nomination in Colaba for the civic polls.

Narwekar rejected the charges levelled by the Opposition parties and insisted it was his responsibility to take note if any individual tried to pressure others, but denied any wrongdoing. “When I accompanied BJP’s official candidates to the returning officer’s office, some people gathered outside and were creating a scene. I requested the police to warn them. I know nothing more about the incident,” Narwekar said.

He denied any role in the missing CCTV footage, saying, “If I was not there, how will I appear in any footage? Such baseless allegations have no meaning.”