Mumbai, Dec 29 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) raised alarms on Monday regarding what they term an era of open “Gundaraj” (gangster rule) in Maharashtra. They accused political leaders, including Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, of allowing criminals to infiltrate their parties.

According to Uddhav Sena, the state is increasingly becoming a “nourisher of criminals,” with rival gangs reportedly embedded within the ruling factions, resulting in clashes across Mumbai and beyond.

In a harsh editorial from their official publication ‘Saamana’, the Thackeray faction stated that Maharashtra, once celebrated for its progressive and tolerant nature, is now being likened to regions notorious for high crime rates, such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The editorial expressed concern over the escalating hooliganism in each district, claiming that political leaders are enlisting “dangerous criminals” to bolster their parties.

It suggested that the law and order situation has deteriorated to a point where citizens no longer feel secure, with a noticeable increase in daylight violence involving firearms, swords, and “koytas” (machetes). The state is said to be experiencing alarming levels of political murders, mob rule, and hooliganism, with the Thackeray camp placing the blame squarely on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also oversees home affairs, accusing him of neglecting his duty to uphold law and order.

The editorial highlighted a recent incident in Khopoli, located in Raigad district, where a young political activist, Mangesh Kalokhe, was brutally murdered in broad daylight. Kalokhe was married to Mansi Kalokhe, a newly elected corporator, and the murder occurred shortly after the municipal election results were announced, allegedly due to political rivalry.

According to ‘Saamana’, the political fallout from the Khopoli murder has revealed significant rifts within the ruling coalition.

“Minister Bharat Gogawale accused the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of being behind Kalokhe’s murder, although both parties are part of the ruling alliance. Gogawale himself is under investigation since his son, Vikas Gogawale, has been on the run for 26 days, facing allegations of inciting violence during the Mahad Municipal Council elections and attempting to kill a Congress worker. His interim bail plea was denied by the Bombay High Court,” the editorial claimed.

The editorial also targeted BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh and Minister Nitesh Rane for allegedly threatening political adversaries. It was noted that Rane had claimed immunity from repercussions, asserting that his “boss” resides at the Chief Minister’s official residence, Varsha.

In what was described as a systematic entrenchment of crime and “mafia-style” operations, the editorial pointed to the discovery of a ‘Mandrax’ drug factory in Satara, purportedly linked to the brother of a deputy chief minister. Critics argue that the investigation was suppressed, as political protection was allegedly provided.

Furthermore, the editorial accused the Minister of State for Home Affairs of circumventing police reports to issue a passport and a pistol license to Nilesh Ghaywal. It also referenced a land mafia case allegedly involving Parth Pawar, son of Ajit Pawar, claiming that CM Fadnavis intervened to protect him.

“How can this be referred to as the ‘rule of law’ when ministers, MLAs, and MPs brazenly issue murder threats?” the Thackeray camp questioned.

They further alleged, “Fadnavis, Shinde, and Ajit Pawar are bolstering their parties by recruiting dangerous criminals. Just like the city of Lyari, depicted in the film Dhurandhar, which became notorious for gang rule, Maharashtra is moving in the same direction.”