Hired fools, supaaribaaz: Fadnavis's refined jab at 'Missing Link' critics

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday refused to retreat from his criticism of those attacking the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's Missing Link project, offering what he described as more "refined" alternatives to his earlier remarks that had drawn criticism from the opposition.

Addressing the backlash over his use of the term "bhade ke tattu" for critics of the project, Fadnavis said many appeared to have been offended by his comments and questioned whether such language was appropriate for a Chief Minister.

"Fine, I will take that phrase back and give you a more sophisticated alternative. Let's call them 'hired fools' or simply supaaribaaz (instigators for hire)," Fadnavis said.

The Chief Minister maintained that criticism directed at the Missing Link project amounted to an attempt to malign Maharashtra. He said he could tolerate attacks against himself but not efforts to tarnish the state's image through what he described as misinformation about a major infrastructure achievement.

Opposition parties have questioned the safety of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's Missing Link project and sought an audit after a landslide occurred near it recently, disrupting traffic on the major thoroughfare.

Fadnavis, who fiercely defended the mega project's safety, attacked the opposition, accusing it of spreading lies through hired trolls on social media. He warned that those defaming Maharashtra with misinformation would not be spared and alleged that "even a dog wouldn't acknowledge" those abusing the project.

During an Assembly debate on the matter on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said that while he had become "abuse-proof" and could withstand personal attacks, attempts to "defame Maharashtra" would not be tolerated.

He alleged that some people were posting criticism of the project on social media for money and described them as "hired stooges".

The opposition shot back, saying Fadnavis's response was unbecoming of the office of the Chief Minister.

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal accused Fadnavis of threatening those who criticised the state government and said citizens and the opposition had every right to question the use of public money.

"It does not behove the chief minister and home minister of a state to threaten those who raise questions by calling them hired stooges or saying 'I will deal with you'. You are not Maharashtra," the Congress leader said.

Using terms such as "dogs" and "hired stooges" was unbecoming of the chief minister of a state known for its civilised political culture, Sapkal said, claiming that Fadnavis reacted angrily after the Congress highlighted alleged corruption in the Missing Link project.

Infrastructure projects are funded by taxpayers' money, and the opposition is entitled to seek accountability if there are allegations of irregularities, Sapkal said.

The 13.3-km Missing Link, opened to traffic on May 1, bypasses the Lonavala-Khandala ghat section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and is expected to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by 20 to 30 minutes. Fadnavis has repeatedly described it as a landmark engineering project and credited the Mahayuti government with reviving and completing it.

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