After Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Abhishek Ghosalkar was shot dead on Thursday, party leader Sanjay Raut alleged there is “Goonda Raj” (rule of goons) in Maharashtra and demanded resignation from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

In a post on ‘X’ in Marathi, Raut wrote, “Maharashtra Gooda Raj! Morish Narohna, who shot Abhishek Ghosalkar four days ago, was at the bungalow. The Chief Minister met him.”

Ghosalkar was reportedly shot three times while he was live on Facebook and was taken to Karuna Hospital in Borivali where doctors declared him dead.

“Morrish was invited to join the Shinde Sena! Fadnavis is a complete failure as Home Minister! Resign!,” Raut added.

The incident comes just days after a sitting BJP MLA opened fire at Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader inside a police station at Ulhasnagar, raising serious questions over law and order situation in the Maharashtra.

According to purported video of the incident, Ghosalkar is heard talking about resolution of differences between him and the shooter. As soon as he stands up and asked him to join him outside, the shooter, not visible in the short viral video clip, fired multiple shots.

The first bullet appeared to hit him at above the abdomen, and the other between neck and right shoulder. Around two more bullets were fired as he moved out of the camera frame.

The incident has triggered severe criticism of the Shinde government and the Opposition Congress has also questioned the prevailing law and order situation in the state.

“The death of former corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar, son of Vinod Ghosalkar, is shocking. The manner in which he was killed is horrific. Is there law and order in the state? This question is getting bigger,” said Congress leader Sachin Sawant.

After the Ulhasnagar firing incident, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said that the incident marks the beginning of ‘Jungle Raj’ in the state.

“There is no rule of law in Maharashtra. Law and order have utterly collapsed in the state. Consistent firing by the MLAs of the ruling party marks the beginning of ‘Jungle Raj,” Patole had said. QA