In a recent development, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh have alleged that a BJP affiliate, Samit Balasaheb Kadam, attempted to coerce Deshmukh into implicating top leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) or face jail time. The accusations have sparked a significant political controversy, with allegations of misuse of power and threats.
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- Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh accused Samit Balasaheb Kadam, affiliated with the BJP, of attempting to coerce Deshmukh.
- Kadam reportedly threatened Deshmukh to implicate MVA leaders in affidavits prepared by the BJP or face imprisonment.
- Deshmukh confirmed multiple meetings with Kadam, who allegedly pressured him to accuse leaders such as Uddhav Thackeray and Ajit Pawar.
- Raut and Deshmukh claim Kadam is closely connected to the BJP-RSS and was sent by Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.
- Kadam has denied the allegations, labeling them as baseless and dismissing Raut’s claims.
- Raut criticized Fadnavis for allegedly misusing the Home Ministry and investigating agencies against opposition leaders.
- Raut mentioned a letter he wrote on February 8, 2022, to then Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, documenting similar threats and pressures.
- The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP called Kadam a ‘middleman’ linked to BJP-RSS leaders and criticized the state government’s protection of such individuals.
- Raut highlighted a pattern of harassment against MVA leaders, contrasting it with the immunity enjoyed by certain BJP-affiliated figures.
- State BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule defended Fadnavis, accusing the opposition of false allegations and attempts to malign his reputation.
