Anil Deshmukh Injured in Nagpur Attack

Nagpur, November 19, 2024 – Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh sustained injuries on Sunday evening after unidentified individuals attacked his car with stones on the Katol-Jalalkheda Road in Nagpur district.

The incident occurred as Deshmukh was returning from a public meeting in Narkhed, where he was campaigning for his son, Salil Deshmukh, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. A stone shattered the window of Deshmukh’s car, striking him on the head and causing visible injuries. Witnesses reported shards of glass scattered inside the vehicle, further emphasizing the severity of the attack.

Medical Attention and Police Investigation

Deshmukh was immediately rushed to a hospital in Katol for medical treatment. Doctors attending to the former minister have confirmed that his injuries are not life-threatening, and he has since been discharged.

Nagpur Rural police have launched an investigation to determine the motive behind the attack and identify the perpetrators. Superintendent of Police Akshay Patil stated, "A case has been registered, and we are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas. We will leave no stone unturned in bringing the culprits to justice."

Political Reactions

The attack has sparked outrage across Maharashtra’s political spectrum. NCP chief Sharad Pawar strongly condemned the incident, calling it “an assault on democratic values” and urging authorities to ensure the safety of public representatives.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also condemned the violence, stating, “Such acts are unacceptable in a democratic society. Disagreements must be resolved through dialogue, not violence.”

Background and Rising Tensions

Anil Deshmukh has been a polarizing figure in Maharashtra politics. Once a key member of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, he stepped down as Home Minister amid corruption allegations in 2021, leading to arrests by both the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation. Deshmukh was granted bail after over a year in judicial custody.

In recent months, Deshmukh has accused BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis of pressuring him to file false affidavits against MVA leaders to destabilize the previous government, allegations that Fadnavis has denied.

As election season intensifies in Maharashtra, political tensions have risen, with the attack on Deshmukh underscoring the need for enhanced security measures. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of electoral politics in the state.