Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker Zirwal Cleared After Video Fact-Check

Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis Addresses Viral Video Controversy Surrounding Minister Zirwal

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday that his administration will take “appropriate decision” regarding Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal after investigating a controversial video that has sparked political uproar across the state.

The video in question, which has been widely circulated on social media platforms, allegedly shows Zirwal with a transgender person in a bedroom setting, reportedly within his official government bungalow. The footage has prompted immediate calls for the minister’s resignation from opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance members.

“Zirwal told me on phone that the video has been made by joining three-four old videos. He has said that the matter should be probed. I have asked him to file a complaint,” Fadnavis told reporters during a press briefing in Mumbai.

The Chief Minister added that he would consult with Sunetra Pawar, a senior leader from Zirwal’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), before taking any definitive action. “Along with his party leader Sunetra Pawar, we will take an appropriate decision on the matter after verification of facts and emerging situation,” Fadnavis explained.

Political analysts note this incident comes at a sensitive time for Maharashtra’s ruling coalition government, potentially testing the alliance between Fadnavis’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP.

For Zirwal, this marks the second major controversy in just two months. In February, an FDA clerk was apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while allegedly accepting a Rs 35,000 bribe within Mantralaya, the state secretariat building. The incident raised questions about administrative oversight within Zirwal’s department, as he heads the FDA.

The 66-year-old Zirwal, a four-time MLA from Dindori constituency in Nashik district, has been a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics, previously serving as Deputy Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. His political career now faces significant scrutiny as these allegations unfold.

Opposition leaders have intensified their criticism, with MVA representatives arguing that the video compromises the dignity of a ministerial position and warrants immediate resignation on moral grounds. Several MVA leaders have scheduled press conferences to address what they describe as “ethical failures” within the current administration.

Political observers point out that such controversies often have far-reaching implications in Maharashtra’s politically charged environment. The state has witnessed several ministerial resignations over similar controversies in the past, creating precedents that put additional pressure on the current situation.

While the government has not set a timeline for completing its verification process, sources close to the administration suggest that the Chief Minister is treating the matter with urgency given its potential impact on government stability and public perception.

The controversy also highlights broader questions about privacy, technology, and political accountability in the digital age. With Zirwal claiming the video represents manipulated footage, digital forensic experts note that the increasing sophistication of video editing technology has made verification increasingly challenging for authorities.

As the investigation proceeds, both government and opposition camps remain vigilant, recognizing that the outcome could influence political alignments in Maharashtra, a state that has witnessed significant political realignments in recent years.