Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh was injured after stones were hurled at his car by some unidentified people in Nagpur on Monday evening.
The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) leader was returning to Katol after attending a poll meeting in Narkhed when his car was attacked near Belphata on the Jalalkheda Road at 8 pm.
According to reports, a stone shattered the car’s window and struck Deshmukh on his head. He suffered serious injuries and was immediately rushed to the Katol Civil Hospital, police said.
Video of Anil Deshmukh, former Minister, after the incident. He reportedly sustained injuries after a few individuals pelted stones at his car in Katol Legislative Assembly Constituency. He was on his way back after a public meeting in Narkhed. His son, Salil Deshmukh, is… pic.twitter.com/C61IoqM2yr
— Anjaya Anparthi (@anjaya1905) November 18, 2024
A video of the incident showed blood dripping from the former minister’s head and blood stains all over his white kurta.
"An investigation has begun. Police are trying to identify those responsible for the attack," Nagpur Rural Superintendent of Police Harssh Poddar said.
Extremely worried and anxious! Wishing @AnilDeshmukhNCP ji a speedy recovery! pic.twitter.com/rckbSkXtA8
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) November 18, 2024
The incident occurred on the last day of campaigning for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections. Deshmukh's son Salil Deshmukh is contesting from Katol assembly constituency on the NCP (SP) ticket against BJP's Charansingh Thakur.
The NCP(SP) condemned the incident and termed it as an example for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
राज्यात कायदा सुव्यवस्थेचे तीन तेरा वाजले आहेत. लोकशाहीचे धिंडवडे उडवले जात आहेत. याचे उदाहरण आज निवडणुकीच्या सांगता सभेवरून घरी परतताना राज्याचे माजी गृहमंत्री तसेच राष्ट्रवादी काँग्रेस पक्ष शरदचंद्र पवार पक्षाचे नेते अनिल देशमुख यांच्यावर झालेल्या भ्याड हल्ल्यातून समोर आले. या… pic.twitter.com/vo8U3uoqoH
— Nationalist Congress Party - Sharadchandra Pawar (@NCPspeaks) November 18, 2024
The Congress also condemned the attack and said the culprits should be arrested soon. The party also sought the intervention of the Election Commission.
"Law and order in the state has deteriorated and for fair and transparent elections, the Election Commission should intervene immediately and take steps to ensure that law and order remains smooth," said senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat.
