Sena editorial claims Uddhav government fell after Fadnavis honey-trapped MLAs

A front-page editorial published in both the print and online editions of ‘Saamna’, the Marathi daily run by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, on Tuesday alleged that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government collapsed in 2022 due to a honeytrap and blackmail operation orchestrated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

“Fadnavis himself and people from the Home Department blackmailed MLAs and MPs. They threatened the MLAs—leave for Surat immediately, or we will publicise your videos. Their only option was to jump into the Ganga of the BJP’s washing machine and purify themselves,” the ‘Saamna’ editorial alleged, referring to how a section of the Shiv Sena rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, first flying to Surat and then to Assam. The rebellion resulted in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government losing its majority in 2022 and ultimately collapsing.

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“During this period, Saubhagyawati (wife) Fadnavis herself had revealed that her husband, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, would change into a disguise at night—wearing a hoodie, growing a beard and moustache—and leave the house without any security. (He would carry a black pen drive in his pocket—this is our secret information.) On the other hand, Eknath Shinde, who was in the Shiv Sena at that time, would come in the guise of Sardarji with a turban and a bandaged beard. The two would meet under a lamp post or under a bridge. Then, probably, there was a discussion and exchange about CDs and pen drives of videos of those honey-trapped. The BJP had a system for carrying out such honey traps. The police department was in its control. The police officers themselves were keeping an eye on the opposition,” the ‘Saamna’ editorial alleged.

“Devices like Pegasus were purchased from Israel and put to full use to honey trap MLAs and MPs. Recent developments make it clear that the then Maha Vikas Aghadi government collapsed due to that trap. After some pen drives were handed over to Mindhe (Eknath Shinde), the Mindhe honey trap gang began its three-way journey from Surat to Guwahati to Goa. The entire affair is like a mystery film. The directors of this mystery film were and are the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),” the ‘Saamna’ editorial alleged.

“The game is still on, and it has now reached the Maharashtra cabinet and certainly includes BJP ministers. Cases have been registered against Praful Lodha, special assistant to Girish Mahajan (Fadnavis confidante and Maharashtra Water Resources Minister) in connection with the honey trap case. Police have registered cases in Mumbai, Nashik, and Jamner, and are conducting raids at Lodha’s residences to recover CDs and pen drives that contain the secrets of ministers in the Fadnavis government. Lodha even made a statement that his life was in danger from Girish Mahajan and his people. The same Lodha was felicitated by Fadnavis and Girish Mahajan until yesterday. The mastermind of the honey trap may be Lodha, but the chairman of the honey trap board is Girish Mahajan and others,” the ‘Saamna’ editorial alleged.

“Which minister is giving death threats to Praful Lodha? Why are the police raiding Lodha’s residence? This Lodha was from the BJP. People of all stripes and all shades have come to the Maharashtra cabinet. One minister is playing rummy in the assembly, another minister is showing off bags of money and puffing on cigarettes, a third minister is sitting next to Fadnavis after digesting the murder of his girlfriend, a fourth minister is struggling to escape from the honey trap in Nashik, a fifth minister is himself caught in the honey trap while trapping others. But the ‘Hamidabai’ of the bordello (“kotha”) sits in Delhi and makes everybody dance,” the ‘Saamna’ editorial alleged.

“The portfolio cards of the cabinet will have to be shuffled since five to six ministers will have to be kicked out and sent home. The names of such ministers are being discussed in political circles. Sanjay Shirsat (Minister for Social Justice), Yogesh Kadam (Minister of State for Home Affairs), Manikrao Kokate (Minister for Agriculture), Dada Bhuse (Minister for Rural Development), Sanjay Rathod (Minister of Soil and Water Conservation) and some of the five ministers caught in the honey trap in Nashik will have to go. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has given clear instructions in this regard. Chief Minister Fadnavis said there is no such thing like a honey trap. His words are superficial and are meant to save the government’s reputation. In fact, Fadnavis has also lost sleep over the information provided by the intelligence agencies,” the ‘Saamna’ editorial alleged.

In a related development, Minister of State for Home Affairs Yogesh Kadam warned Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Anil Parab that he will move a breach of privilege motion in the Maharashtra Legislative Council against him. The controversy erupted after Parab accused Kadam’s family of being connected to a dance bar permit.

Earlier, addressing a press conference, Parab had said that he will approach Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, submit the evidence against Kadam, and seek his resignation.

Parab said, “I dare Yogesh Kadam to file a defamation suit and bring a privilege notice against me and give a platform to prove the charges against him. If the CM does not take action, then I will move the court.”

Last week, Parab had alleged that a “dance bar” in Mumbai had a permit in the name of Kadam’s mother. Parab had alleged this conflict was of interest as the minister cannot have a business interest in a department headed by himself.

On May 30, the police raided the ‘Saavali’ bar in Mumbai’s Kandivali suburb and nabbed 22 female bar dancers, 22 customers and four staff members, Parab had alleged in the Maharashtra state legislative council.