Ravindra Chavan says sorry after remarks on Vilasrao Deshmukh spark backlash from Riteish

BJP chief apologises after Deshmukh legacy row

<p data-start="231" data-end="620"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">A political controversy erupted in Maharashtra after BJP state chief <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Ravindra Chavan</span></span> made remarks suggesting that the legacy of former chief minister <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Vilasrao Deshmukh</span></span> would fade from Latur. The comments drew strong reactions from actor <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Riteish Deshmukh</span></span> and the Congress party, eventually prompting Chavan to issue an apology.</span></p>
<p data-start="622" data-end="914"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Addressing a rally in Latur, Chavan said the enthusiasm of BJP supporters reflected a decisive political shift in the region. He claimed that the influence and memory of the late Congress leader would no longer shape the city&rsquo;s political landscape, a statement that quickly triggered outrage.</span></p>
<p data-start="916" data-end="1227"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Riteish Deshmukh, son of the former chief minister, responded with an emotional video message. With folded hands, he said that leaders who lived and worked for the people remain etched in public memory. He added that while written words can be erased, what is deeply etched in people&rsquo;s hearts cannot be removed.&nbsp;<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTJ-9wEihoD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Riteish Deshmukh (@riteishd)</a></p>
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<p data-start="1229" data-end="1513"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The remarks also drew sharp criticism from the Congress, which accused the BJP of disrespecting a leader who had devoted his life to Maharashtra&rsquo;s development. The party said the comments reflected arrogance and a lack of understanding of Vilasrao Deshmukh&rsquo;s enduring bond with Latur.</span></p>
<p data-start="1515" data-end="1759"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Congress leaders asserted that no political force could erase the former chief minister&rsquo;s legacy. They said many had attempted to challenge that legacy in the past, but the people of Latur had consistently reaffirmed their respect for Deshmukh.</span></p>
<p data-start="1761" data-end="2203"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Former minister and Congress leader <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Amit Deshmukh</span></span>, also Vilasrao Deshmukh&rsquo;s son, described Chavan&rsquo;s statement as extremely unfortunate and deeply distressing. He said the remarks had hurt the sentiments of Latur&rsquo;s residents and were strongly condemnable. Amit Deshmukh added that his father had touched the lives of countless people in the region and that his memories remain firmly rooted in the hearts of the public.</span></p>
<p data-start="2205" data-end="2445"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">He echoed Riteish Deshmukh&rsquo;s view, saying that such memories cannot be erased by comments from political outsiders and that BJP leaders should have been mindful of the emotional and historical connection between Vilasrao Deshmukh and Latur.</span></p>
<p data-start="2447" data-end="2738"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Following the backlash, Ravindra Chavan clarified that his remarks were not intended as a personal or political attack on the late leader. He said his focus was on local development issues ahead of civic body elections and argued that debates should centre on governance and civic amenities.</span></p>
<p data-start="2740" data-end="3052"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chavan acknowledged Vilasrao Deshmukh&rsquo;s stature as a significant leader who served as chief minister twice. He added that if his words had hurt the sentiments of Deshmukh&rsquo;s family, particularly Riteish, he expressed regret and offered an apology, urging that the statement not be viewed through a political lens.</span></p>
<p data-start="3054" data-end="3275"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The controversy has once again highlighted how deeply political legacies remain intertwined with public sentiment in Maharashtra, especially in regions like Latur where Vilasrao Deshmukh&rsquo;s influence continues to resonate.</span></p>

6 જાન્યુઆરી, 2026 | 14:44 IST

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