On Saturday evening social activist Vishambhar Choudhari claimed that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar joined hands with Eknath Shinde led government to escape action from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Choudhari who was speaking at a meeting organised by Nirbhay Bano Manch and INDIA alliance in Pimpri also claimed that had Ajit Pawar not switched sides to join the Shinde government he would have become the CM by now. “Pawar was frightened so he walked over to that side, but his core belief aligns only with NCP and he will come back,” he said. Choudhari in his speech urged Maharashtra citizens to not allow BJP to return to power, otherwise the 2024 general election would be the last election in the country. “This election is 'We the people of India' versus 'Modi-Shah',” he said. This was the first public meeting Choudhari addressed after he was attacked during a similar meeting in Sinnar, Nashik. Along with Choudhari lawyer, Asim Sarode also addressed the meeting. Chaudhari in his speech spoke about the upcoming inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. “We welcome the inauguration of the temple but we are against the politicalisation of Lord Ram,” he said. The environmentalist also questioned the absence of President Draupadi Murmu on the occasion. “The Somnath temple was inaugurated by then president Rajendra Prasad. Why is the president not invited for the inauguration?”he said. Member of Nirbhay Bano Manch, Chaudhari said they have decided to stand with the INDIA alliance to save the Constitution. Criticising the political usage of administrative machinery by BJP, Chaudhari said once a different government comes to power their action will come under scrutiny. Sarode in his speech slammed the lack of transparency and accountability in the government and in the Election Commission, apart from lack of upgradation of EVMs. The meeting held near the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in Pimpri saw the audience braving a sudden bout of rain. Both Sarode and Chaudhari urged people to support and fight for the idea of constitutional democracy.
