Abhishek Ghosalkar murder: MVA demands President’s Rule in Maharashtra

In the wake of mounting pressure on the Eknath Shinde-led Maha Yuti government after the tragic murder of Abhishek Ghosalkar, a member of the Shiv Sena (UBT), in Mumbai on Thursday evening during a 'Facebook Live' session by Mauris Noronha, a local 'social activist' who also supposedly took his own life, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi demanded President’s Rule on Saturday.

Shiv Sena (UBT) head and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray stated that several issues arose from the shoot-out involving Abhishek Ghosalkar-Mauris Noronha, and it needs to be determined whether there was any third person who opened fire.

"They are not able to run the state. The government needs to be dismissed, President’s Rule imposed, and fresh Vidhan Sabha elections announced," Thackeray told reporters at Matoshree, his residence in Bandra.

"In the shootout involving Abhishek Ghosalkar and Mauris Noronha, what we have seen is that they are sitting together, and thereafter when the latter leaves, bullets were fired at Abhishek Ghosalkar. We are told that Mauris Noronha shot himself. We have not seen the video to determine who fired the rounds," Thackeray said, questioning if there is any third person who opened fire.

Thackeray criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio.

Thackeray highlighted a photograph showing Amruta Fadnavis, the wife of Fadnavis, felicitating Mauris in the presence of then-Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. "Look at the photo of Mauris Noronha and Bhagat Singh Koshyari. Look who else is in the photo," Thackeray remarked.

On the other hand, a delegation of Congress, led by state unit President Nana Patole, met with state Governor Ramesh Bais and advocated for President’s Rule.

“Maharashtra has a great tradition; this state has worked to give direction to the country. Maharashtra has made significant progress in social, political, educational, and cultural fields. Even in terms of law and order, we were once considered a well-governed state, but efforts are underway to disrupt the social fabric, to disturb peace, and this has created a significant problem of law and order,” said Patole, a former Speaker.

NCP (SP) leader and former minister Dr Jitendra Awhad also participated in the delegation. “The law and order situation has collapsed, and therefore the government should be dismissed immediately,” he said.