The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) led by Sharad Pawar launched a scathing attack on the Eknath Shinde government, accusing it of presiding over a deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra.
Mahesh Tapase, the chief spokesperson of the party, expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in crimes against women and girls, alongside a surge in illegal activities such as drug trafficking and gambling, particularly in Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's home district.
In a blistering critique, Tapase pointed to a recent horrific case of sexual abuse involving a child at a school in Badlapur. “It was only after spontaneous protests by outraged citizens that the authorities were compelled to take action. This incident is not just unfortunate, it’s a shameful reflection of the Shinde government's incompetence in ensuring public safety," Tapase stated.
Tapase also demanded accountability from Maharashtra’s Home Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, highlighting the glaring administrative failures in the Badlapur case, including delays in filing the crime report and conducting the necessary medical examination. He accused the government of attempting to downplay the gravity of the situation and warned that public trust in law enforcement and government officials is rapidly eroding.
"The respect for khaki and khadi has diminished under this administration, and that is deeply troubling," he noted.
The NCP spokesperson lamented the lack of accountability within the state’s law enforcement agencies, arguing that political pressure is hampering their ability to act impartially and swiftly. Tapase also criticized the central government for its delay in passing the Shakti Act, a stringent law aimed at curbing crimes against women that was initiated by the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. He asserted that the delay in implementing this crucial legislation has emboldened criminals, who no longer fear the consequences of their actions.
Furthermore, Tapase condemned the current state of police peace committees and vigilance committees at the district and taluka levels, alleging that these bodies have become mere formalities, dominated by ruling party loyalists. "These committees exist only on paper, failing to provide the oversight and protection that the public desperately needs," he charged.