A video showing senior Congress leader Nana Patole’s feet being washed during a Guru Purnima event has triggered a political controversy in Maharashtra, with the BJP criticising the ritual and the Congress leader defending it as a family tradition.

The viral clip shows Mr Patole seated on a sofa while two men wash his feet, shower flowers on him and place fruits near his feet as part of the ceremony. The incident quickly drew attention on social media and prompted sharp reactions from political leaders.

BJP calls it ‘Congress culture’

Reacting to the video, Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the incident reflected the “culture of Congress leaders”.

He said such acts only invite criticism and negative publicity, adding that Congress leaders should learn from similar controversies instead of repeating them.

Nana Patole defends Guru Purnima ritual

Responding to the criticism, Mr Patole rejected the allegations and said he neither instructed nor compelled anyone to perform the ritual.

According to the Congress leader, the ceremony took place on Guru Purnima when two younger members of his family voluntarily chose to honour him as their Guru.

He said they insisted on performing the ritual as a mark of respect.

Congress leader hits back at BJP

Mr Patole also countered the BJP’s criticism, saying the party had no authority to lecture others on culture and traditions.

In an apparent reference to the alleged Ram temple donation theft case, he remarked that those who “loot donation funds” should not advise others on cultural values.

The exchange has added to the political sparring between the BJP and the Congress in Maharashtra, with the viral video continuing to generate debate on social media.

The counting of votes is underway for Assembly by-elections in three BJP-ruled states—Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat—in what is being seen as the first electoral test since nationwide student protests over alleged examination paper leaks.

The bypolls were held on Thursday in Bihar’s Bankipur, Madhya Pradesh’s Datia and Gujarat’s Manjalpur Assembly constituencies. Political observers are watching the outcome closely as the results are expected to offer an indication of voter sentiment, particularly among young voters who participated in or were influenced by the protests.

Bankipur contest draws attention amid BJP candidate change

The Bankipur Assembly seat in Bihar has traditionally been considered a BJP stronghold, with the party retaining the constituency in every election so far. The bypoll was necessitated after former MLA and BJP leader Nitin Nabin was elected to the Rajya Sabha.

The contest attracted attention after the BJP’s original nominee, Abhishek Kumar Sinha, withdrew from the race a day after filing his nomination, citing family reasons. The party later fielded its youth wing leader, Neeraj Kumar Sinha.

The opposition seized on the development, claiming the BJP was concerned about retaining the seat. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed confidence that his party’s candidate, Rekha Gupta, had secured support across different communities and could deliver an unexpected result.

The election also marked the anticipated electoral entry of political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, adding further interest to the contest.

Datia sees straight BJP-Congress fight

In Madhya Pradesh, the Datia Assembly seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified on April 2 under provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The BJP has fielded first-time Assembly candidate Ashutosh Tiwari against Congress nominee Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh.

Datia has long been associated with former state Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who represented the constituency for three consecutive terms between 2008 and 2018 before losing the 2023 Assembly election. The selection of a new BJP candidate reportedly led to protests by some of Mishra’s supporters.

Congress candidate Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh, a two-time former MLA and member of the erstwhile royal family, is banking on his previous electoral victories, personal connect with voters and dissatisfaction among sections of BJP workers.

Manjalpur bypoll follows veteran BJP MLA’s death

In Gujarat, voting took place in the Manjalpur Assembly constituency after the death of sitting BJP MLA Yogeshbhai Narandas Patel.

The contest is between BJP candidate Satish Govindbhai Patel, a former Vadodara Municipal Corporation councillor, and Congress leader Bhikhabhai Rabari, a former state minister and Gujarat Congress vice president.

Yogesh Patel had represented the Raopura Assembly constituency five times before shifting to the newly created Manjalpur seat after delimitation. He went on to win Manjalpur in 2012, 2017 and 2022, completing eight consecutive Assembly election victories over a span of 36 years.

The bypoll comes after the BJP’s record performance in the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections, when the party won 156 of the state’s 182 seats.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday questioned actors Vivek Oberoi and R. Madhavan over residing in Dubai despite publicly praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led central government.

Addressing an event organised by the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena, the student wing of the MNS, in Mumbai, Thackeray criticised the Centre and claimed that many industrialists had left the country over the years.

Raj Thackeray questions actors over Dubai residence

During his speech, Thackeray referred to Vivek Oberoi, who portrayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2019 biographical film based on the Prime Minister’s life, and questioned why he now lives in Dubai.

He also mentioned actor R. Madhavan, saying that if those who praise the Prime Minister believe India has progressed significantly under his leadership, they should explain why they have chosen to reside abroad with their families.

Thackeray further alleged that actors participate in government-backed projects in India before returning overseas.

While responding to similar questions in the past, R. Madhavan has said he relocated to Dubai during the Covid-19 pandemic to support his son’s swimming career. Vivek Oberoi has previously stated that he moved to Dubai to expand his business interests.

Comments on language used during CJP protests

The MNS chief also commented on the abusive language used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s recent appeal that “misguided children” should be forgiven and guided in the right direction, Thackeray said he agreed that abusive language should not be used against anyone. However, he added that members and supporters of the BJP should also refrain from using similar language against political opponents.

He alleged that BJP troll groups have targeted several leaders and public figures, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and members of the Thackeray family. According to him, trolling has discouraged many actors from expressing their views publicly.

Thackeray said that respect should be maintained in political discourse and that abusive language directed at anyone should be avoided.

Says NEET issue became trigger for wider discontent

Speaking about the ongoing CJP protests, Raj Thackeray said the alleged NEET paper leak issue served as the immediate trigger, but the large public response reflected broader grievances that had accumulated over the years.