BJP wants to wipe out memories of all but Modi & Shah: Sapkal

Nagpur: Maharashtra state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal alleged that BJP wants only the legacy of PM Narendra Modi and Union minister Amit Shah's to prevail due to which party veterans like LK Advani and others have been sidelined. He was responding to BJP state president Ravindra Chavhan's statement that late CM Vilasrao Deshmukh's memories will be wiped out from the latter's hometown of Latur."Deshmukh saheb has built a legacy which can never be erased. He is loved by the common man, and his stature is too big to be forgotten," said Sapkal.The controversy resulted in Deshmukh's son, Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh issuing a statement saying: "What is written can be erased, but you cannot erase what is etched."Sapkal said Chavhan's statement mirrored BJP's way of thinking. "They want to wipe out the memories and history of everyone. See what has happened with Advani. Even Gopinath Mundeji's memory is being slowly erased. Ultimately, only two people want to prevail over everyone, Modi and Shah. They have started behaving like gods," said Sapkal. He added that Modi himself had confirmed this by saying he is "non-biological".Talking about the Election Commission, Sapkal said, "They are working at the behest of BJP. It is evident through various actions of the past. This time candidates were asked to submit nominations and then the electoral rolls were published." He urged voters to "teach a lesson" to BJP-led Mahayuti for its anti-democracy stand.On more than 60 Mahayuti candidates winning unopposed ahead of the civic elections, Sapkal alleged the ruling side used all means at their disposal to get rivals to withdraw. Sapkal said Congress has sought a NOTA option wherever a candidate is elected unopposed and will consult legal experts on moving the court.Alleging that CM Devendra Fadnavis was accepting commissions from contractors, he said: "Instead of Deva bhau, he should be called takka (percentage) bhau."Sapkal said that people want a change. In the afternoon, Sapkal met with Congress candidates and advised them to focus on people's aspirations and stay united.