Even a dog wouldn't...: Fadnavis slams Opposition over 'Missing Link' criticism
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tore into the opposition and critics for attacking the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's Missing Link project, saying "even a dog wouldn't acknowledge"
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tore into the opposition and critics for attacking the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's Missing Link project, saying "even a dog wouldn't acknowledge" those abusing the project after a rain-triggered landslide raised questions over its durability. Defending the Rs 7,000-crore project, Fadnavis accused critics of spreading misinformation and warned that while he could tolerate personal attacks, attempts to "defame Maharashtra" would not be spared. Read Full Story The Chief Minister's remarks come amid a political row triggered after traffic was disrupted on the Missing Link section on Monday amid heavy rain, forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement for over 18 hours before restoring it. Replying to a debate in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, he accused his critics of deliberately attempting to tarnish the state's image after a rain-triggered landslide temporarily disrupted traffic on the newly inaugurated expressway section earlier this week. "People whom even a dog wouldn't acknowledge are now taking to social media to hurl abuses at everyone, including the Chief Minister.
Some hired stooges were writing about the 'Missing Link' on social media in exchange for money. I want to tell them: if you insult Maharashtra, we will not spare you," the Chief Minister said. #WATCH | Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "...People whom even a dog wouldn't acknowledge are now taking to social media to hurl abuses at everyone, including the Chief Minister. Some hired stooges were writing about the 'missing link' on social media in pic.twitter.com/3l4YpnswyT— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2026 Drawing parallels with the initial challenges faced by the Konkan Railway, he said landmark infrastructure projects often encounter technical hurdles in their early stages. Fadnavis claimed the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government had virtually shelved the project, saying it had prepared a two-page note citing 14 reasons why the Missing Link could not be executed. He credited the BJP-led Mahayuti government with reviving and completing the ambitious project. Responding to criticism after Monday's landslide, the Chief Minister said the incident had not compromised the structural integrity of the tunnels or bridges and that traffic was restored within 18 hours through swift action by officials.
He accused the opposition of trying to portray the entire project as a failure based on a temporary disruption. Taking aim at online critics, Fadnavis said he had become "abuse-proof" and was unfazed by personal attacks. "History will remember my name and Eknath Shinde's name for this project long after these critics are forgotten," he said. However, he drew a distinction between political criticism and what he described as attempts to damage Maharashtra's reputation. "Defame me all you want, but do not defame Maharashtra," he said, warning those he described as "paid trolls" and "hired stooges" against spreading misinformation about the state. The remarks triggered a sharp response from Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad, who said that questioning infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores, potholes, accidents and the use of public money was a democratic right. "The Chief Minister says, 'Defame me, but I won't spare anyone who defames Maharashtra.' He should first introspect on who is actually defaming Maharashtra," Gaikwad said in a statement.
The BriefWire