Political war-of-words erupts in Maharashtra over 'February 15'

A fresh controversy erupted in the now highly-politically sensitive Maharashtra with the BJP and NCP spar over February 15, the date on which Home Minister Anil Deshmukh was discharged from a hospital after being treated for Covid-19.

The war-of-words erupted after NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s press conference in New Delhi.

Read | Deshmukh was in quarantine: Pawar rejects Param Bir Singh's allegations

Even while Pawar’s media interaction was underway, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis, tweeted a video of Deshmukh’s media interaction and said: “Sharad Pawar ji said, from 15-27 February, Anil Deshmukh was in home quarantine. But actually along with security guards and the media he was seen taking a press conference!”

Under fire from the opposition BJP, Deshmukh, a senior NCP leader, issued a video statement immediately. “I was treated for Covid-19 in the hospital from 5-15 February….I spoke to the waiting media while I was discharged from hospital. After that I was in home quarantine till 27 February,” said Deshmukh.

Thereafter, Fadnavis sent out another tweet: “It seems Sharad Pawar ji is not briefed properly on Param Bir Singh letter. In this letter only, the SMS evidence shows that the meeting date was mentioned as end of February. Now who is diverting the issue?”