India, Sept. 22 -- Last week, a few remarks made by BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar against senior NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil drew sharp reactions from political parties in the state. Padalkar, a first-time MLA, made comments on Patil and his father, the late Rajarambhau Patil, regarded as one of the towering leaders from western Maharashtra.

Padalkar's remarks embarrassed chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who said the legislator should have avoided such comments. Several senior politicians have pointed out that the political discourse has been declining in the past few years, especially after the split in Shiv Sena and NCP, with battles turning increasingly bitter. A trend has emerged among some leaders to target senior politicians ...