A new discussion has emerged in the political circles due to a statement by the state's Water Supply Minister Gulabrao Patil. Speaking at an event in Jalgaon district, his sarcastic and controversial remarks aimed at voters have intensified criticism from the opposition. While speaking at the event, Gulabrao Patil referred to democracy and said, “A king is not born from a king's womb. Now a king is born from the ballot box. This history was created by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.” Further, while commenting on the right to vote, he directly gave the example of actress and MP Hema Malini. “Dr. Babasaheb has given the right to vote to everyone from Tata-Birla to the common man. Just as Hema Malini has the right to vote, so do we,” he said.
At the same time, looking at the district officials of Shiv Sena present on the stage, their statement became even more controversial. “On the day of voting, consider your wife as Hema Malini,” as soon as this statement was made, there was a burst of laughter in the meeting. Reactions have started emerging on social media as well as at the political level regarding this statement.
Meanwhile, in this speech, Gulabrao Patil also launched a strong attack on NCP leader Eknath Khadse without naming him. Referring to the Muktainagar Assembly election, he said, “Who says you have to pay up to God? Now you have to pay down here. There was a fight between BJP and Shiv Sena in Muktainagar, but NCP did BJP's work. What kind of movie is this?” he taunted in such words.
While directly criticizing Khadse, Gulabrao Patil said, “Khadse always criticized me—he is like this, he is like that. Oh dear, I have been elected. I am not like that. You gave us a lot of trouble. Put us in jail, troubled MLA Chandrakant Patil, harassed everyone in the district. So, what is happening today has to be endured.”
At the end of the speech, he also made a sarcastic remark about the former ministers. “No one even stays to hold the bag with the former minister,” he said, causing a wave of laughter and applause among the attendees. Due to Gulabrao Patil's statements, signs of a verbal war reigniting in the politics of Jalgaon and the state are visible, and it is anticipated that there will be strong reactions from the opposition.
In Brief
The statement by Water Supply Minister Gulabrao Patil has sparked discussions in political circles.
At an event in Jalgaon district, he made a sarcastic and controversial statement addressing the voters.
Referring to democracy, he said, “Now the king is born from the ballot box.”
He noted that this history of democracy was shaped by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.