Pune: This poll season, speeches of several politicians are a teaser to voters' ears. Personal attacks on physical disabilities of opponent leaders have put off many. Senior leaders, active in politics for decades, claim that the decorum in political debates before elections in yesteryears has taken a back seat.
"Maharashtra is known for its rich and matured political culture. It made the state stand out from others. Even politically high-profile issues were handled with great sensitivity in past decades.
The current political scenario is a threat not only to the political culture but also to the social fabric," says senior Congress leader Ulhas Pawar. Recalling high-voltage rallies during the Emergency period, he says, "Congress party was compared with plague rats, but no one retaliated with derogatory remarks then." Unparliamentary words have been used aplenty already in the run-up to the assembly polls scheduled on Nov 20.
Mahayuti leader Sadabhau Khot's remarks about Sharad Pawar's health status at a public gathering in Sangli district drew sharp reactions from both wings of NCP. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar also expressed strong exception to his comments. Khot later apologised.
NCP (SCP)'s Parli candidate promised to take up the responsibility of marrying off bachelors, if elected. BJP's Vasantrao Deshmukh courted controversy after he allegedly made a derogatory remark against Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat's daughter at a rally in Sangamner. Senior BJP leader and .