New Delhi: Responding to raging row over ‘Varsha’ bungalow, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis trashed rumours that he was avoiding the official CM residence in South Mumbai due to any superstition, pointing out that he would move in after his daughter’s board exams are completed.
His comments followed a statement by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who claimed that buffaloes sacrificed in Guwahati during Eknath Shinde’s visit to the Kamakhya temple were buried on the premises of ‘Varsha’ to ensure that the CM’s post would remain with Shinde and not be given to anyone else.
In June 2022, Shinde became the chief minister of the state after he raised a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray and tied up with the BJP. Till November last year, he stayed as the CM. However, after the assembly elections, Fadnavis was made the chief minister for the third time.
‘Some minor repairs are being carried out’: Fadnavis
Fadnavis has been staying at the ‘Sagar’ bungalow, despite assuming office as chief minister in the first week of December. Rubbishing Raut’s claims, Fadnavis said that he would move into ‘Varsha’ bungalow once Shinde vacates it. He added that some minor repairs are also being carried out. “In the meantime, my daughter, who is in Class 10, requested that we shift only after her exams. That is the reason I have not moved in yet,” the CM added.
On Raut’s claims, he said that those were absurd rumours that “do not even deserve a response from someone at my level”. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who stays at ‘Varsha’ at present, also remarked on the controversy, stating that, “Those making these claims probably have more experience in such matters.”
