MUMBAI: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis 's recent statement that attempts to glorify Nathuram Godse will not be tolerated by his government is a warning to the radical fringe group in the Hindutva parivar , and the Shiv Sena as well, said political analysts.

Replying to a question in the Maharashtra legislative assembly last week, Fadnavis said anyone trying to idolise Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, will have to face the state administration's wrath.

The chief minister was replying to a question by Jitendra Awhad (NCP) who informed the house that a group in the state was ready to host an event to remember Godse, and sought to know the government's response to such a situation.

Fadnavis used the opportunity to issue a warning to the radical group in the Hindutva parivar , especially in view of the recent fracas created by Union minister of state for food processing Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti's infamous 'Ramjade versus Haramjade' remark followed by BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj's description of Godse as 'patriot'.

The Agra conversion too has deeply embarassed the Modi government, said a BJP MP on Sunday. On the other hand, Sakshi Maharaj had to apologise as many as four times for his Godse soundbyte.

“We can't afford such uncalled for rows in Maharashtra. Devendra-ji is clever enough to understand that such ugly episodes can put his government in a spot. He wants the focus to be kept on governance and not on extraneous issues. His vidhan sabha statement is a warning to the radical elements in the Sangh parivar which likes to rake up non-issues,” said a BJP minister on Sunday.

The Sena ministers too will have to observe restraint while making public statements or when speaking to the media or in the state legislature, he opined.

“Fortunately, there are not many irresponsible Hindutva leaders in the state. The Sangh parivar in Maharashtra is aware of the responsibility which power brings. The Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad too have been keeping low profile and thank God for that,” he remarked.

Many in the BJP think that controversies triggered by the likes of Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and Sakshi Maharaj can only deflect the attention from Modi government's focus on governance and development.

“Deviation from the core agenda of governance and development could only work to the advantage of the NDA's political opponents,” Union finance minister Arun Jaitley told TNN last week, close on the heels of the fracas triggered by the statements of Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and Sakshi Maharaj.

