Mumbai, Jan 6: Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh on Tuesday responded sharply to remarks made by Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan, who claimed that the legacy of former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh would be erased from Latur.
In a video message, Riteish said that the contribution of leaders who worked for the people could never be wiped out. “I say with folded hands that the names of those who lived for the people are etched in people’s hearts. What is written can be erased, but what is etched cannot be,” the actor said.
Chavan had made the remarks on Monday while addressing a rally of BJP workers in Latur. Referring to the turnout and enthusiasm of party supporters, he claimed that the influence of the late Congress leader would no longer remain in his hometown.
The statement triggered a strong political backlash, with the Congress accusing the BJP of attempting to diminish the legacy of a leader deeply associated with Maharashtra’s development.
Congress leaders said Vilasrao Deshmukh’s memory was inseparable from Latur and described the BJP leader’s comments as reflecting “arrogance of power.” They also questioned whether the ruling party understood the emotional connection the former chief minister shared with the people of the region.
Former minister and Congress leader Amit Deshmukh, another son of the late leader, called the remarks “extremely unfortunate and deeply distressing.”
“These comments have hurt the sentiments of the people of Latur. My father’s work touched almost every household in the city,” Amit Deshmukh said.
Vilasrao Deshmukh served as Maharashtra’s chief minister twice — from 1999 to 2003 and from 2004 to 2008 — and continues to be regarded as one of the state’s influential political figures.
