Bharat Gogawale: Bharat Gogawale's video of Aghori puja goes viral

A video of Shinde faction leader and Maharashtra state minister Bharat Gogawale allegedly performing an Aghori Puja has gone viral on social media, sparking a fresh political controversy. The video was tweeted by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson Suraj Chavan, who claimed that Gogawale was seen participating in rituals associated with Aghori practices.

Chavan shared the video with a sarcastic remark, questioning, “Why are Bharatsheth and Aghori Vidya the guardian ministers?” The tweet has stirred reactions across party lines and further fueled debate over the role and image of political leaders.

Earlier, Thackeray faction leader Vasant More had also made similar allegations. In a previous statement, More claimed that on October 17, 2024, Bharat Gogawale had invited 11 priests from the Baglamukhi temple to conduct an Aghori puja. He further alleged that a sorcerer from outside Maharashtra was also called for the ritual. More asserted that he possesses multiple videos of the event and warned that if Gogawale denies the charges, he would approach the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (Committee for Eradication of Blind Faith) with the evidence.

In response to the allegations, Gogawale has firmly denied any involvement in Aghori practices. “If I had done any Aghori puja, wouldn’t it have been for getting the guardian ministership?” he retorted. He clarified that he is a devotee of Pandharpur’s Vitthal, Siddhivinayak, and Swami Samarth, and does not believe in or perform such rituals.

The controversy comes amid an ongoing tussle over the guardian ministership of Raigad district, with political opponents suggesting that the puja allegations are part of a broader smear campaign tied to this power struggle. As the video continues to circulate and fuel public debate, the incident underscores the intensifying battle of narratives ahead of upcoming political developments in Maharashtra.