Anil Deshmukh Claims Devendra Fadnavis Pressured Him to Implicate Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray

In Nagpur, Maharashtra, a political storm has erupted following allegations by former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. Deshmukh claims that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis pressured him to falsely implicate Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, and others.

Allegations and Arrest

Anil Deshmukh, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2021 for an alleged money laundering case, spent several months in jail. On Thursday, UBT Sena leader Sanjay Raut supported Deshmukh, stating that Deshmukh was jailed as part of a conspiracy and was pressured to implicate Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Aaditya Thackeray.

Sanjay Raut’s Statement

Sanjay Raut said, “Anil Deshmukh was sent to jail as a part of a conspiracy. Before he was sent to jail, there was pressure put on him to implicate Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Aaditya. He was also told that if he did not do this he would be sent to jail. Two years ago, when both of us were in jail, Deshmukh told this to me. BJP can do such a thing. Many leaders in the BJP have been forced to do such a thing. There is truth in what Anil Deshmukh ji has said.”

Deshmukh’s Accusations

On Wednesday, NCP-SP leader Anil Deshmukh accused Devendra Fadnavis of asking him to write four affidavits against Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Ajit Pawar, and Anil Parab. Deshmukh said, “Three years ago Devendra Fadnavis sent a man to me and asked me to write four affidavits. I was asked to make written allegations against Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Ajit Pawar, and Anil Parab. Devendra Fadnavis sent the affidavits and asked me to sign them. I was told that if I did this, then neither ED nor CBI would come after me.”

Deshmukh added that he was pressured but refused to make false allegations, leading to the ED and CBI being sent after him. He said, “I was pressurised but I clearly said that even if I have to go to jail for life, I will not make false allegations. I did not bow down and that is why ED and CBI were sent after me. I was asked to give a false affidavit that Aaditya Thackeray raped Disha Salian and threw her from the balcony.”

Devendra Fadnavis’s Response

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denied the allegations, stating that he would not spare anyone making personal allegations against him. Fadnavis said, “The FIR against Anil Deshmukh was registered by CBI after clear orders by the Chief Justice of Bombay HC and at that time it was not even our government in the state. Anil Deshmukh has been making personal allegations against me for a long time now. Usually, I don’t go behind anyone but if someone comes for me, in response I don’t spare that individual.”

Fadnavis also mentioned having several audio and video recordings provided by Deshmukh’s party members, which he would release when the time comes.