Opposition leaders, BJP’s Chitra Wagh slam inclusion of two ministers under cloud in Shinde Cabinet

Rathod had resigned from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in February last year following allegations of complicity in the death of Beed resident TikTok star Pooja Chavan, 23. Chavan had died after falling from a building in Pune earlier that month.

Abdul Sattar found himself in the dock after the names of his two daughters surfaced among the list of candidates debarred by the Maharashtra State Council for Exams (MSCE) over alleged involvement in the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) scam.

While Rathod refused to comment, Sattar said he had demanded a probe into the controversy. “I will expose those who tried to defame me and my family,” he said.

Reacting to the developments, Opposition leader Ajit Pawar told a TV channel, “It is good that after 40 days Maharashtra will finally have a ministry in place. The state is besieged with several problems and there was a pressing need for the ministers to take charge. However, the inclusion of some names could have been avoided, especially those who have not received the clean chit as yet.”

In a video message, BJP leader Chitra Wagh, who had protested with the demand to arrest Rathod in the Pooja Chavan case, said, “It is unfortunate that Sanjay Rathod has been included in the Cabinet. Our fight to seek justice for our sister Pooja Chavan will continue… I have full faith in our justice delivery system.”

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, “Sanjay Rathod had received a clean chit from the police during the previous regime and that is why he was included in the ministry. If anyone has anything to say about this, we will hear them out.”

Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant also criticised the induction of Rathod as “double standards” practised by the BJP. “Looks like the BJP has a washing machine that cleans everything. Fadnavis should answer how can a person whose resignation he had demanded be included in the ministry,” Sawant told The Indian Express.

Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande too slammed the BJP’s “double standards”. “Looks like Chitra Wagh, who had demanded the resignation of Rathod and fought for justice for Pooja Chavan, was used by the BJP as per their convenience. First they tarnished the image and now they are giving a clean chit to the same person. All those who are going to the BJP are getting clean chits,” Kayande told The Indian Express, adding that it is unfortunate that there is no space for any woman in the state Cabinet.

“If Chitra Wagh really wants to fight against Rathod and give justice to Pooja, she should join hands with the Shiv Sena and fight. We will provide all help to her, but tweeting alone won’t help much,” Kayande said.