Pune: Senior Journalist Nikhil Wagle Accuses Devendra Fadnavis of Orchestrating Brutal Attack
Pune, 10th February 2024: Senior journalist Nikhil Wagle has made serious allegations, implicating Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in an attack against him. Wagle asserted that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar bear responsibility for the assault, alleging that Fadnavis orchestrated the attack. Speaking to reporters following a meeting titled ‘Nirbhay Bano’ at the Sane Guruji Memorial Hall, Wagle condemned the attack as cowardly, attributing it to workers affiliated with the ruling parties. He called for Fadnavis to not only apprehend the attackers but also resign from his position as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Wagle recounted being subjected to approximately four hours of house arrest by the police at the residence of Adv Asim Sarode before attending the meeting, suggesting a foreknowledge of the impending attack. He detailed instances of his car being targeted with stones, sticks, eggs, and blue ink at multiple locations but affirmed his resilience in the face of intimidation, vowing to uphold democracy. Wagle squarely accused BJP and NCP workers of perpetrating the attack, branding the BJP as a fascist party and alleging collusion between the party and law enforcement.
Despite receiving threats from the city president of the BJP regarding the disruption of the meeting, Wagle lamented the lack of preventive action by the police, emphasizing the fortunate survival of those targeted. He labelled the BJP as a terrorist organization and accused the police of complicity in the incident, further urging for the arrest of the assailants. Clarifying that police permission was unnecessary for the private hall where the meeting took place, Wagle highlighted the political pressure under which law enforcement operated. He also noted instances of other individuals, including Adv Balkrishna Nidhalkar, falling victim to the attack and echoed calls for the apprehension of the perpetrators. Additionally, Wagle affirmed support for the parties of the ‘INDIA’ alliance.
