Opposition dragging CM in Elvis Yadav case because they are frustrated: Fadnavis

MUMBAI: While the Opposition parties are targeting Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde for inviting Elvish Yadav during Ganesh festival at the CM's official residence 'Varsha', Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that those targeting the chief minister are disappointed and frustrated. He said that several dignitaries and celebrities visited Ganesha at CM's residence and there was no case registered against Yadav when he visited Varsha as a winner of a reality show.

After Yadav was booked on allegations of using snake venom at rave parties, the opposition parties including Congress and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena have been targeting the chief minister for inviting him to his home during Ganesh Chaturthi festival for Arati.  However, Mr. Fadnavis said that if the same criterion is applied to everyone, several political leaders will be in trouble.

“Whenever Ganeshotsav happens at the CM residence, celebrities come there. I think Elvish Yadav won a reality show at that time, so he must have visited. There were no allegations against him at that time,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

Expressing displeasure over the Opposition's attempt to link Mr. Shinde to the latest case against Yadav, Mr. Fadnavis added, “I think dragging CM into all this is absolutely wrong. If someone does something wrong, they will be punished. But accusing CM because someone facing criminal charges now visited him in the past is wrong.”

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said Elvish Yadav,  who is a YouTuber, had visited the chief minister's house and performed aarti of Ganpati. He alleged that Elvish Yadav is the biggest drug mafia of the country.  “He sells snake venom. It is surprising that such a man comes to  the CM's residence, where he was warmly welcomed and then he performed Ganesh aarti at the CM’s residence,” Mr. Raut, who is a member of Rajya Sabha.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further asked whether there is any link of the government with drug rackets busted in Pune, Nashik and rest of Maharashtra. “Did the CM have no intelligence about who comes to his bungalow? Who invited Mr. Yadav to the CM’s residence?,” he asked.

Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar claimed that Elvish Yadav, who is a Bigg Boss winner, is hiding in Mumbai.  "We have come to know that Elvish Yadav is hiding in Mumbai. Mumbai police should find him and action should be taken immediately. If he is hiding in Mumbai then whose shelter is he getting? Why do they give shelter to such people? The home department should have made a thorough inquiry before allowing him to access CM's residence” he said.