NCP (SP) Accuses BJP Government of Using Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput's Names for Political Gain

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Rohit Pawar, nephew of Sharad Pawar, has accused the BJP-led Maharashtra government of attempting to exploit the names of Disha Salian and late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The controversy comes amid a recent political spat between the Opposition and the ruling Mahayuti alliance, following a call by Disha Salian’s father, Satish Salian, for a fresh investigation into his daughter’s death. Satish Salian also demanded that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray be questioned in connection with the case.

In the wake of the political controversy, Rohit Pawar claimed that the ruling alliance is using these high-profile cases to "tarnish" Aaditya Thackeray's reputation, while avoiding addressing more pressing issues in Maharashtra. "They will use the names of Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput because there are elections in Bihar and Mumbai, and after the elections, they will forget them. This is very wrong," said Pawar. "They (state government) are trying to tarnish his (Aaditya Thackeray’s) image. The government raises such issues to divert attention from the real issues of the state," he added.

The controversy has further intensified after Satish Salian’s lawyer, Nilesh C Ojha, accused Aaditya Thackeray of being an "accused" in his daughter’s death. Ojha also claimed that former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had deliberately avoided taking action against Thackeray. Furthermore, Ojha accused certain "corrupt" police officials of attempting to cover up the case.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray also weighed in on the matter, denying any involvement of his family in the Disha Salian death case. He stressed that if there is any credible evidence, it should be brought forward in court. "My family has worked for the people for six to seven generations and has no link to this issue. If they have evidence, then they must produce it in court as this matter is going on in the court," Thackeray asserted. "Making false allegations can backfire," he warned.