By | Arvind Jadhav | Political News
Mumbai: BJP Minister Girish Mahajan has sparked a political controversy by releasing photos of NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader Eknath Khadse with Praful Lodha, the accused in the honey trap case. Mahajan questioned the Opposition leaders’ connections with Lodha, saying, “If I’m being linked to Lodha based on one photo, what about all these leaders?” This move is seen as a retaliatory strike by Mahajan, who was previously criticized for a photo with Lodha.
The controversy has intensified, with both sides trading accusations and questioning each other’s connections with the accused. Mahajan’s decision to release the photos is a strategic move to deflect attention from his own connection with Lodha and shift the focus to the Opposition leaders’ alleged ties with the accused.
The Opposition has demanded Mahajan’s resignation, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC and Leader of Opposition, state legislative council, claiming that Mahajan has alleged links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Eknath Khadse responded to Mahajan’s allegations, claiming that Lodha approached him with evidence. “Lodha gave me a CD of Mahajan’s misdeeds,” Khadse said, adding that he challenged Mahajan to a direct CBI inquiry.
The honey trap allegations have sparked a heated debate, with both sides engaging in a blame game. Congress legislative party leader Vijay Wadettiwar warned Mahajan to “be patient,” hinting that more revelations are forthcoming. Wadettiwar also claimed that the “honey trap” case involves many senior officials and former ministers, with Praful Lodha allegedly collecting ₹200 crore from various individuals.
Opposition leaders have demanded Mahajan’s resignation over his alleged link with Dawood Ibrahim, with Shiv Sena (UBT) claiming that Mahajan attended a wedding of a relative of the underworld don in 2017. This development has added fuel to the controversy, with Mahajan’s credibility being questioned by the Opposition.
Eknath Khadse has challenged Mahajan to a direct CBI inquiry, claiming that Lodha gave him evidence of Mahajan’s misdeeds. Khadse’s demand for a CBI inquiry has raised questions about the extent of Mahajan’s involvement in the honey trap case.
The controversy is expected to continue, with both Mahajan and Khadse trading accusations and counter-accusations in the coming days. The bitter rivalry between the two leaders is likely to intensify, with both sides trying to gain the upper hand in the political slugfest.
