Mumbai, Jan 6: Actor Riteish Deshmukh on Tuesday issued an emotional rebuttal to Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan’s claim that the legacy of his late father, former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, would be erased from Latur.
Reacting through a video message, Riteish said the memory of leaders who dedicated their lives to public service could not be removed from people’s hearts.
“With folded hands, I want to say that those who lived for the people remain etched forever. What is written can be erased, but what is etched cannot be,” he said.
Chavan had made the controversial statement a day earlier while speaking at a BJP workers’ rally in Latur, where he said the enthusiasm of party cadres showed that Vilasrao Deshmukh’s influence in the city had ended.
The remarks drew sharp criticism from the Congress, which accused the BJP of disrespecting a leader who played a central role in Maharashtra’s political and social life.
Congress leaders said the people of Latur had repeatedly rejected attempts to undermine Vilasrao Deshmukh’s legacy and described the comments as disconnected from ground realities.
Amit Deshmukh, Congress leader and son of the former chief minister, termed the statement “deeply painful” and said it had hurt public sentiment.
“Vilasrao Deshmukh’s contribution to Latur and Maharashtra cannot be dismissed through such remarks. His work continues to live on through the people,” he said.
Vilasrao Deshmukh served two terms as Maharashtra chief minister between 1999 and 2008 and remains a prominent figure in the state’s political history.
