Maharashtra Naxal attack: Pawar asks CM to resign

Following the IED blast carried out by Naxals in Gadchiroli in which 15 policemen and a civilian died, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, in a series of tweets, demanded Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' resignation. Also, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao cancelled the Maharashtra Day events scheduled to take place at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai today.

Mumbai:NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday demanded Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' resignation following the IED blast carried out by Naxals in Gadchiroli in which 15 policemen and a civilian died.

Fadnavis holds the home portfolio and "he should step down immediately", Pawar tweeted. "Those who feel the shame of conscience if not shame of public opinion would have resigned. But the people who are in power today are not going to do so," Pawar added.

Saying that Naxals activities in the state were growing, Pawar said it was the result of "rulers neglecting law and order situation in the Naxal-affected areas".

Read | Naxals set ablaze 27 machines, vehicles in Maha's Gadchiroli

"Hence there is no option but to condemn the attack and express grief over the jawans' deaths," the NCP supremo said. "We will not allow this attempt to demoralise the
state by deliberately carrying out the attack on Maharashtra Day to succeed," he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao cancelled the Maharashtra Day events scheduled to take place at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai on Wednesday evening.

The governor had organised the reception and cultural programmes for eminent personalities and diplomats on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of Maharashtra. These events have now been cancelled, a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan said.

Read | 15 commandos, driver killed as Naxals trigger IED blast in Maha

The reception and the programmes were cancelled as a mark of respect for the police personnel, who lost their lives in the Naxal attack in Gadchiroli district, it added.

At least 16 persons were killed in the IED blast triggered by Naxals earlier in the day. The blast followed Naxals torching 25 vehicles belonging to a road construction contractor earlier in the day, police said.