CM Devendra Fadnavis with Baba Bodke (extreme left)

Congress leader and leader of opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil has lashed out against chief minister Devendra Fadnavis after he was clicked with Baba Bodke, who is a repeat offender and has criminal cases registered against him. Mr Vikhe-Patil tweeted, “BJP is has promoted gundas like Baba Bodke openly in this picture and this is just a testament of the corruption in the party.”

BJP’s ally Shiv Sena also attacked its partner. Taking to Twitter, Sena leader Ramesh Solanki asked, “People like Kirit Somaiya and Ashish Shelar accuse us of having ties to the mafia but after this photograph who has close ties ”

The CMO issued a clarification that said, “CM does not know the said person shown in the photograph. The person accompanied Mrs Haware while meeting Hon’ble CM and they gave invite for some Mashal helpline to be inaugurated at Pune and had informed that Anna Hazareji will also remain present. While going they clicked a photo with Hon’ble CM who was not aware who Baba Bodke was. Appointment was given to Mrs Haware who came to invite for Mashal app launching and helpline for women’s security inauguration by Haware foundation.”