MUMBAI: BJP MLA Parinay Phuke's son, Yatharth Phuke, allegedly killed one person while injuring five in a major road accident near the Pench Tiger Reserve on the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border.
Opposition leaders alleged that BJP MLA Parinay Phuke's son, Yatharth Phuke, was under the influence of alcohol during the accident, in which a youth identified as Dishant Ali died on the spot.
Five others also sustained serious injuries. The accident took place in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district. The vehicle was travelling from Pench towards Nagpur when the accident occurred.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, sharing details of the accident along with a photograph of the damaged car on social media, alleged that the car involved in the accident belonged to BJP MLA Parinay Phuke and was being driven by his son, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
BJP MLA Parinay Phuke admitted that the car that met with the accident belonged to him and that his son was also present, but said he was not in the driver's seat. He said the police should probe the case in a free and fair manner and bring the truth before the people.
Harshvardhan Sapkal demanded a fair investigation and strict action against those responsible for the accident and the death of the youth. He warned the state government against attempting to shield the accused because of their political connections.
“Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should ensure that the BJP MLA's son is not given any special treatment and does not go scot-free. The investigation should proceed without political interference. The state government must demonstrate that the law applies equally to everyone, irrespective of their political background and connections,” the Congress leader said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) deputy leader Sushma Andhare also attacked the BJP over the incident, raising questions about the alleged behaviour of politically influential families. In her social media post, she claimed that five young men and five women were travelling in the car and that the occupants had consumed excessive alcohol before the accident.
Sushma Andhare alleged that the vehicle was being driven at high speed when it met with the accident. She said Dishant Ali died on the spot, while five others were seriously injured. She also referred to a case registered at Kurai police station in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh.
"On the one hand, farmers in Maharashtra are struggling due to drought, while on the other, the sons of MLAs are allegedly driving at high speed under the influence of alcohol. What difference does it make to them if someone's life is lost?" she said in her post.
The accident has provided fresh ammunition to the opposition against the BJP, with Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) demanding accountability and questioning whether the police would conduct an impartial investigation in view of the political status of the MLA's family.
