Maharashtra minister Narhari Zirwal's viral video with transwoman stirs row; Congress demands his sacking

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal called the incident a reflection of moral decline in state politics.

Mumbai: In a shocking development in Maharashtra’s political arena, state’s Food and Drug Administration and Special Assistance Minister and NCP leader Narhari Zirwal found embroiled in a major controversy when a video of his in company of a trans-person purportedly in his official bungalow went viral on social media platforms with opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi demanding his immediate resignation.

This is the second controversy involving Zirwal in two months — the earlier one being when an FDA clerk was caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while allegedly accepting a Rs 35,000 bribe in Mantralaya, the state secretariat. 

Zirwal was unavailable for comment.

The minister is learnt to have given an explanation to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who is also the NCP president.

Zirwal (66), a four-time MLA from Dindori in Nasik district and a former Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, was considered close to Ajit Pawar the late Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President. 

In fact, the tribal leader, was the first person to publicly propose Sunetra Pawar's name as Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President after Ajit Pawar's tragic death in a plane crash in Baramati. 

During the June 2022 toppling of the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government, he was the Acting Speaker. 

Internal disputes within the NCP following Ajit Pawar's untimely demise seem to be the trigger point for leaking such a video and its timing, sources told DH.

The authenticity of the video, however, remains uncertain.

The transperson was identified as Pawan Yadav. 

The transperson's brother and advocate Ravi Yadav claimed that Pawan has a history of extortion and blackmailing after seducing people and making videos. 

Reacting to the development, NCP MLC Amol Mitkari questioned the timing of the video.

“How come this video surfaced now…Zirwal Saheb is the first person to express the wish that Sunetra Tai be made the Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President. After that a trap by ACB was laid in his office and now this video, which was shot seven months ago comes out,” said Mitkari. 

Meanwhile, the opposition MVA demanded Zirwal's resignation on moral grounds. 

“Everyone knows who Zirwal is…let me not speak on this…this is shameful,” said Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member and party’s chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut.  

"If the Ashok Kharat scandal wasn’t enough there’s a new one emerging, again involves a senior minister from NCP.  Maharashtra was once known for its thought leadership, intellectual capability, leading the way for reforms and now its infamous for sleaze and perversity coming from leadership under Maha Yuti,” added Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi.

“Zirwal's obscene video on social media is a glaring example of the moral decline in Maharashtra's politics. The Chief Minister should immediately demand Zirwal's resignation from his ministerial post,” state Congress President Harshavardhan Sapkal said.

“From a responsible public representative, upon whom rests the trust of the people and the responsibility of taxpayers' money, such obscene and unethical conduct is utterly outrageous and reprehensible. This incident is not just a breach of personal boundaries, but a stain on the ethics of public life itself. It is a simple expectation that a minister elected on the basis of public trust should at least adhere to the basic framework of morality. However, viewing this video makes it evident that those expectations have been completely shattered,” he added.

Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar attributed the leak of the video to the tussle between the ruling allies.

"This is nothing but a gang war within the government where the ruling parties are trying to finish each other. This is not good for Maharashtra. We hang our heads in shame. The same is the case with self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who exploited so many women…these are not good signs for Maharashtra,” he said. 

When NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil was asked about it, he refused to comment. "I am not aware of the details. I cannot comment right now over it,” he said.