- Viral video shows two men washing Nana Patole’s feet and showering flowers on him.
- BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule termed the episode reflective of “Congress culture.”
- Patole said the men were younger members of his family who considered him their guru.
- Congress leader hit back at the BJP, referring to allegations involving Ram temple donations.
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 3rd Aug: A video showing two men washing the feet of senior Congress leader Nana Patole on the occasion of Guru Purnima has triggered a political controversy in Maharashtra, with the BJP targeting the former state Congress chief over the ritual.
In the video circulating on social media, Patole is seen seated on a sofa as two men wash his feet and shower flowers on him. Fruits can also be seen placed near his feet.
The visuals prompted sharp criticism from the BJP, with Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule describing the episode as reflective of the “culture of Congress leaders.”
“It is the culture of Congress leaders to indulge in such activities. They should have learnt lessons from such incidents,” Bawankule said.
Questioning the practice, the BJP leader said politicians should avoid actions that result in criticism and negative publicity.
Patole dismissed the controversy and said he had neither asked nor forced anyone to perform the ritual.
According to the Congress leader, the incident occurred on the occasion of Guru Puja and the two people seen in the video were younger members of his family.
“They insisted that they consider me their Guru and wanted to do this as a mark of respect,” Patole said.
He also hit back at the BJP, arguing that the party had no right to lecture him about culture and traditions.
“Those who loot donation funds need not advise us,” Patole said, in an apparent reference to allegations surrounding Ram temple donations.
The episode has since turned into another political flashpoint between the Congress and BJP in Maharashtra, with the viral visuals drawing reactions across social media.
