Ex-Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh Injured in Political Stone-Pelting Incident

Anil Deshmukh Injured in Stone Pelting Incident

On November 18, 2024, Anil Deshmukh, the former home minister of Maharashtra and leader of the NCP (SP), was injured in a stone-pelting incident while traveling to Katol near Nagpur. The attack occurred as he was returning from Belphata. Deshmukh, 74, suffered head injuries and was initially taken to a civil hospital in Katol before being moved to Alexis Super Speciality Hospital in Nagpur.

Deshmukh is actively campaigning for his son, Salil Deshmukh, who is a candidate for the NCP (SP) in the area. Following the incident, supporters from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) party marched to the Katol police station, demanding the immediate arrest of the attackers.

Superintendent of Nagpur Rural Police, Harssh Poddar, stated that an investigation had begun but no conclusions could be reached immediately. Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat condemned the incident, calling for the Election Commission to intervene, citing a breakdown of law and order in the district.

Mahesh Tapase, a spokesperson for NCP (SP), urged the Election Commission to take the attack seriously and consider its political implications. Supriya Sule, working president of NCP (SP), expressed her alarm over the attack, stressing that such events are unusual during elections.

Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut described the incident as unfortunate and questioned whether it was part of a political conspiracy. Deshmukh previously served as home minister under the MVA government and has faced legal issues related to money laundering and alleged corruption.