BJP Minister Criticizes Congress Leader Nana Patole Over Feet Washing Video

MUMBAI: A video purportedly showing supporters of senior Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole washing his feet during Gurupurnima celebrations has sparked political reactions, with Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule criticising the incident. According to news agency PTI, Bawankule took a swipe at the Congress over what he described as its "culture". "It is the culture of Congress leaders to indulge in such activities. They should have learnt lessons from such incidents. Why indulge in such practices where you will only earn criticism and negative publicity and nothing else," the revenue minister and senior BJP leader told reporters. The minister was responding to a video that allegedly shows supporters of Patole, a former Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly, washing his feet and offering prayers as part of Gurupurnima observances. The video has since drawn attention on social media and and triggered political criticism from the BJP.