Even a dog wouldn't...: Fadnavis slams Opposition over 'Missing Link' criticism
The Chief Minister's remarks come amid a political row triggered after traffic was disrupted on the Missing Link section on Monday amid heavy rain, forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement for over 18 hours before restoring it.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tore into the opposition and critics for attacking the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's Missing Link project, saying "even a dog wouldn't acknowledge" those abusing the project after a rain-triggered landslide raised questions over its durability.
Defending the Rs 7,000-crore project, Fadnavis accused critics of spreading misinformation and warned that while he could tolerate personal attacks, attempts to "defame Maharashtra" would not be spared.
The Chief Minister's remarks come amid a political row triggered after traffic was disrupted on the Missing Link section on Monday amid heavy rain, forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement for over 18 hours before restoring it.
Replying to a debate in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, he accused his critics of deliberately attempting to tarnish the state's image after a rain-triggered landslide temporarily disrupted traffic on the newly inaugurated expressway section earlier this week.
"People whom even a dog wouldn't acknowledge are now taking to social media to hurl abuses at everyone, including the Chief Minister. Some hired stooges were writing about the 'Missing Link' on social media in exchange for money. I want to tell them: if you insult Maharashtra, we will not spare you," the Chief Minister said.
Drawing parallels with the initial challenges faced by the Konkan Railway, he said landmark infrastructure projects often encounter technical hurdles in their early stages.
Fadnavis claimed the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government had virtually shelved the project, saying it had prepared a two-page note citing 14 reasons why the Missing Link could not be executed.
He credited the BJP-led Mahayuti government with reviving and completing the ambitious project.
Responding to criticism after Monday's landslide, the Chief Minister said the incident had not compromised the structural integrity of the tunnels or bridges and that traffic was restored within 18 hours through swift action by officials.
He accused the opposition of trying to portray the entire project as a failure based on a temporary disruption.
Taking aim at online critics, Fadnavis said he had become "abuse-proof" and was unfazed by personal attacks. "History will remember my name and Eknath Shinde's name for this project long after these critics are forgotten," he said.
However, he drew a distinction between political criticism and what he described as attempts to damage Maharashtra's reputation.
"Defame me all you want, but do not defame Maharashtra," he said, warning those he described as "paid trolls" and "hired stooges" against spreading misinformation about the state.
The remarks triggered a sharp response from Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad, who said that questioning infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores, potholes, accidents and the use of public money was a democratic right.
"The Chief Minister says, 'Defame me, but I won't spare anyone who defames Maharashtra.' He should first introspect on who is actually defaming Maharashtra," Gaikwad said in a statement.
She argued that demanding accountability over alleged safety concerns, construction quality and expenditure on the Missing Link project could not be equated with insulting the state.
According to her, governments should answer criticism with transparency and facts instead of branding opponents as "paid trolls" or "paid agents."
Opened to traffic on May 1, the 13.3-km Missing Link bypasses the Lonavala-Khandala ghat section of the 94-km Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
The project is expected to shorten the journey by 5.7 km and reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by 20 to 30 minutes.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tore into the opposition and critics for attacking the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's Missing Link project, saying "even a dog wouldn't acknowledge" those abusing the project after a rain-triggered landslide raised questions over its durability.
Defending the Rs 7,000-crore project, Fadnavis accused critics of spreading misinformation and warned that while he could tolerate personal attacks, attempts to "defame Maharashtra" would not be spared.
The Chief Minister's remarks come amid a political row triggered after traffic was disrupted on the Missing Link section on Monday amid heavy rain, forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement for over 18 hours before restoring it.
Replying to a debate in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, he accused his critics of deliberately attempting to tarnish the state's image after a rain-triggered landslide temporarily disrupted traffic on the newly inaugurated expressway section earlier this week.
"People whom even a dog wouldn't acknowledge are now taking to social media to hurl abuses at everyone, including the Chief Minister. Some hired stooges were writing about the 'Missing Link' on social media in exchange for money. I want to tell them: if you insult Maharashtra, we will not spare you," the Chief Minister said.
Drawing parallels with the initial challenges faced by the Konkan Railway, he said landmark infrastructure projects often encounter technical hurdles in their early stages.
Fadnavis claimed the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government had virtually shelved the project, saying it had prepared a two-page note citing 14 reasons why the Missing Link could not be executed.
He credited the BJP-led Mahayuti government with reviving and completing the ambitious project.
Responding to criticism after Monday's landslide, the Chief Minister said the incident had not compromised the structural integrity of the tunnels or bridges and that traffic was restored within 18 hours through swift action by officials.
He accused the opposition of trying to portray the entire project as a failure based on a temporary disruption.
Taking aim at online critics, Fadnavis said he had become "abuse-proof" and was unfazed by personal attacks. "History will remember my name and Eknath Shinde's name for this project long after these critics are forgotten," he said.
However, he drew a distinction between political criticism and what he described as attempts to damage Maharashtra's reputation.
"Defame me all you want, but do not defame Maharashtra," he said, warning those he described as "paid trolls" and "hired stooges" against spreading misinformation about the state.
The remarks triggered a sharp response from Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad, who said that questioning infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores, potholes, accidents and the use of public money was a democratic right.
"The Chief Minister says, 'Defame me, but I won't spare anyone who defames Maharashtra.' He should first introspect on who is actually defaming Maharashtra," Gaikwad said in a statement.
She argued that demanding accountability over alleged safety concerns, construction quality and expenditure on the Missing Link project could not be equated with insulting the state.
According to her, governments should answer criticism with transparency and facts instead of branding opponents as "paid trolls" or "paid agents."
Opened to traffic on May 1, the 13.3-km Missing Link bypasses the Lonavala-Khandala ghat section of the 94-km Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
The project is expected to shorten the journey by 5.7 km and reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by 20 to 30 minutes.
