Pandharpur

On Thursday, BJP MLC and former Maharashtra Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde criticized opposition parties for politicizing the sexual abuse of two four-year-old girls in Badlapur. She stated that if the BJP were in opposition, it would not exploit such incidents for political gain. Munde pointed out that similar cases, like the Nirbhaya case, have occurred over the years and should be addressed as social issues rather than political opportunities.

Munde emphasized that the focus should be on ensuring justice and severe punishment for the accused, not on political maneuvering. Her comments came in response to opposition accusations that the MahaYuti government was shielding the school management and suppressing protests. The opposition has called for capital punishment for the accused and the enforcement of the Shakti Act, which was enacted under the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

Additionally, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi alleged that the school administration and the MahaYuti government were involved in a cover-up. Meanwhile, BJP veteran Raosaheb Danve also condemned the opposition for politicizing the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue, suggesting that the contractor failed to ensure proper installation. He called for a state audit of statues across Maharashtra and urged the opposition to refrain from exploiting these issues for political gain.