Dismiss Maharashtra govt and impose President's rule, says Uddhav Thackeray on law and order situation in Maharashtra

Uddhav Thackeray. Pic/PTI

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday demanded the dismissal of the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, targeting it over the law and order situation in Maharashtra, reported news agency PTI.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, he also demanded that President's rule be imposed in the state and fresh polls be conducted, reported PTI.

"We demand dismissal of the Maharashtra government," Uddhav Thackeray said, citing law and order situation in Maharashtra after a leader of his party was shot dead in Dahisar on Thursday evening, reported PTI.

The former chief minister also accused the state government of protecting mobsters, reported PTI.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking his urgent intervention over the "deteriorating" law and order situation in Maharashtra.

In a letter written to Shah on Friday, Chaturvedi referred to the murder of local Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar on Thursday, and an incident earlier this month in neighbouring Thane district where a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA opened fire inside a police station.

"I implore you to urgently intervene in the deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra before irreparable harm is inflicted upon its residents," the Rajya Sabha member said in the letter.

The once-vibrant city of Mumbai, renowned for trade and commerce, is now marred by escalating crime, violence and gunfire, Chaturvedi said.

The rampant use of firearms to intimidate innocent civilians and public representatives has plunged the state into a perpetual state of fear and insecurity, she added.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that the ruling party MPs and MLAs were threatening policemen.

Raut also targeted Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, and demanded his resignation over the law and order situation.

"This (twin attacks) reflects failure of (state) Home Minister (Fadnavis). Prime Minister Narendra Modi and (Union Home minister) Amit Shah are responsible for imposing this government on us," the Rajya Sabha member remarked.

"The chief minister should be sacked and President's Rule must be imposed in the state. Dismiss the government if you have the courage," said Raut, lashing out at the Centre.

Former corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar (40), son of Sena (UBT) leader Vinod Ghosalkar, was shot dead during a Facebook Live by local businessman and social activist Mauris Noronha on Thursday evening. Noronha later killed himself, police said, reported PTI.

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ganpat Gaikwad shot and injured a local leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena at a police station in Ulhasnagar near Mumbai on February 2 over a land dispute and political rivalry.

(With inputs from PTI)