Mumbai | August 3, 2026
A viral video showing two men washing the feet of senior Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole during Guru Purnima celebrations has triggered a sharp political confrontation in the state, drawing criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The footage shows Patole, a former Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, seated on a sofa while two men wash his feet, shower floral petals, and lay offerings nearby. Reacting to the video, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule described the act as emblematic of “Congress culture” and urged opposition leaders to avoid practices that invite public censure. Dismissing the backlash, Patole clarified that the men were younger family members performing traditional Guru Puja on their own initiative, while counter-attacking the BJP over its own record on ethics and public governance.
Key Information & Political Confrontation
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Key Figure: Nana Patole, Senior Maharashtra Congress Leader & Former Assembly Speaker.
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Incident Details: A viral clip from Guru Purnima showed two individuals washing Patole’s feet and offering flowers while he sat on a sofa.
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Political Reactions:
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BJP Position (Chandrashekhar Bawankule): Criticized the ritual as feudal, stating it reflects the underlying culture of Congress leadership and brings negative public sentiment.
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Congress Response (Nana Patole): Clarified the individuals were younger family members acting out of personal devotion, emphasizing that no ritual was forced.
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Political Counter-Attack: Patole rejected the BJP’s criticism, claiming the ruling party held no moral authority to lecture others on culture.
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Domain Focus: Regional Political Strategy, Campaign Rhetoric & Party Ethics
