Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of being part of an international conspiracy aimed at destabilising India’s democratic institutions and bringing about a regime change in the country. Addressing a massive ‘Lokshahi Vachva – Arajakta Hatva’ (Save Democracy – Remove Anarchy) rally organised by the BJP and Mahayuti in city, Fadnavis alleged that Rahul Gandhi and his associates were targeting the Constitution and constitutional institutions under the pretext of protecting democracy.

 

The grand foot march began from Yeshwant Stadium and proceeded through Panchsheel Square, Rani Jhansi Square and Variety Square before culminating at Samvidhan Square. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were among the prominent leaders who participated in the rally, which witnessed the participation of a large number of BJP and Mahayuti workers. Earlier at Yashwant stadium a grand public meeting was held wherein Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Ministers Ashok Uike, Ashish Jaiswal and Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, MLA Pravin Datke, Dr Rajiv Potdar, MLC Sanjay Bhende, BJP City President Dayashankar Tiwari, BJYM National President Hemang Joshi, NCP City President Anil Ahirkar, NCP District President Rajabhau Tanksale, People’s Republican Party leader Jaideep Kawade, RPI (Athawale) leader Rajan Waghmare, former MP Ramdas Tadas were seated on the dais.

 

Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis said, “We have come together today to protect democracy. Rahul Gandhi and his associates are targeting democracy and the Constitution. Rahul Gandhi had threatened to take the battle to streets. He must remember that this is the Constitution given to us by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. We too are ready for street-level battle.” Fadnavis asserted that if the Opposition mobilised people in large numbers, the BJP and its supporters would demonstrate an even bigger show of strength. “This is the resolve of India,” he said.

 

 

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders were misleading the people on issues concerning democracy and constitutional institutions. He stressed the need to counter such misinformation and create awareness among citizens about the democratic framework and constitutional processes.

 

Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the campaign was aimed at exposing what the BJP described as misleading propaganda by the Opposition and creating awareness about the importance of democratic institutions, constitutional processes and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He emphasised the need to take the message to people through public meetings, youth interactions and social media.