Solapur, July 23: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis skipped auspicious Ashadhi Ekadashi puja in the Vitthal temple at Pandharpur and decided to perform it at his residence in Mumbai on Monday following intelligence inputs about plans to cause a stampede by releasing snakes among devotees. Some Maratha groups also threatened they would not allow Fadnavis to perform the puja untill their various demands including reservation are accepted.

CM Devendra Fadnavis said he dedcided not to perform Ashadhi Ekadashi puja in the Vitthal temple for the sake of devotees. "I have Z plus security for myself. No one can even touch me. But I do not want anyone else to be injured," he told reporters on Sunday. The chief minister added that the police have intercepted a few calls in which some groups were heard planning to precipitate a stampede by releasing snakes during the mega event. Ashadhi Ekadashi marks the end of pilgrimage, called waari.

Making a veild attack at protesting Maratha groups, Fadnavis said nobody can force him to accept any demand by pelting stones at him. "By throwing stones at me if people think they can get their demands met, then I am ready for it. However, members of some groups already know that the case regarding Maratha reservation is being heard by the high court and we are doing everything from our side and yet they are instigating the community against us," Fadnavis was quoted as saying by Times of India.

The chief minister said Shivaji provided protestion to devotees. "People who hold the devotees to ransom for their demands cannot be Shivaji's soldiers," he said. Fadnavis has been conducting Ashadhi Ekadashi puja in the Vitthal temple for the last three years since he became the chief minister.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2018 10:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).