Rivals hit out as clip ‘shows minister with witch doctor'
Shiv Sena
(UBT) and
NCP
claimed that state minister Bharat Gogawale had resorted to occult rituals for his victory in last year's assembly elections and a cabinet berth. The minister for employment guarantee scheme was targeted after a viral video purportedly showed him performing some rituals with a 'mantrik' (witch doctor).
Vasant More of Sena (UBT) and Suraj Chavan of NCP mocked the Shiv Sena minister, who represents Mahad. NCP and Shiv Sena are partners in the governing Mahayuti coalition.
More said Gogawale had earlier performed occult rituals to become an MLA and a cabinet minister, while Chavan claimed on Wednesday he recently took part in another round of such rituals in the hope of becoming guardian minister of Raigad district. Chavan said Maharashtra is a progressive state, and Gogawale should trust the Mahayuti leadership. Sena and NCP are vying for the Raigad guardian minister's post.
Gogawale called himself a 'Hindutvawadi' and said he believes in God. He said he had visited a religious place in Indore and performed havan and puja. PTI
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