Thane: Cabinet minister Ganesh Naik on Monday, without naming Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, criticised him for not visiting the family of slain activist Pradeep Purnekar even though it has been nearly three weeks since his murder. Purnekar’s son, Ram, also questioned Shinde on social media for promptly visiting actor Tiger Shroff after Sunday’s firing incident in Mumbai while not visiting their home, barely a 10-minute drive from his Thane residence.Addressing a janata darbar in Thane, Naik said he had apprised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the gravity of the situation during his recent visit to Palghar and assured the family of the state’s support until they secured justice.“I visited the family, as did our local representatives. The CM has also shown sensitivity and assured them of complete support. However, why someone has chosen not to visit the family is their individual decision, and I cannot comment on it,” Naik said, without naming Shinde, considered his political rival.A delegation of Agri-Koli residents also met Naik, seeking his intervention to expedite the probe into Purnekar’s September 29 murder. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena corporator Sanjay Bhoir, from a neighbouring ward, acknowledged that Meenakshi Shinde had earlier differed with his brother Bhushan over representation of Ward 3.At the darbar, Naik also defended the state’s fiscal position, saying Maharashtra could repay its debt even if it reached Rs 20 lakh crore, while stressing that relief for needy citizens remained a priority.He later claimed that 40% of the grievances raised at the event had been resolved on the spot, while others remained pending due to various constraints. Naik said he had warned officials to clearly communicate whether they could resolve public grievances, adding that those unable to do so should make way for others.
