Audio clip has Opp. gunning for Fadnavis
Party leader Mr Nawab Malik also demanded that a FIR be filed against Mr Fadnavis under Section 506.
Mumbai: A major political controversy broke in the state on Saturday after the Shiv Sena released an audio clip of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis during an election rally in Palghar. In the clip, which was played by Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Mr Fadnavis is heard saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) must win Palghar using “saam, daam, dand, bhed.”
The CM later admitted it was his voice and released the full version of the audio clip, claiming that the Sena had deliberately released a truncated version. Mr Fadnavis said that he would lodge a complaint against the Sena before the Election Commission (EC).
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has asked collector and the returning officer of Palghar to verify the authenticity of the clip, said senior officers.
Other political parties in the state too jumped into the fray, with the Congress demanding that action be taken against the CM if the audio clip is true, and against the Sena if it is false. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has demanded the CM’s resignation. Party leader Mr Nawab Malik also demanded that a FIR be filed against Mr Fadnavis under Section 506.
Addressing party workers on Friday in Palghar, Mr Fadnavis said that, “If an alliance friend is backstabbing us then how are we expected to respond? Those who have BJP in their blood cannot remain silent. We must attack now and they should know what is BJP. The election should be fought with all means (saam, daam, dand, bhed).” His speech was recorded and released by the Sena.
Reacting on the clip, Mr Thackeray demanded that the EC take cognisance of the matter and register a complaint. Congress state president Ashok Chavan also demanded the EC take action against CM Fadnavis or he should resign immediately. “If the audio clip is false, take action against Thac-keray,” said Mr Chavan.
However, Mr Fadnavis said that last sentence of his speech was removed from the clip. “The Shiv Sena can see their loss and hence are stooping down to such a level. They tampered with the audio clip and presented it to the people to mislead them. The entire clip is of 14 minutes duration and I am going to give it to the EC,” Mr Fadnavis said in Vasai.
“There was a sentence at the end that we will not misuse the power. However, the Sena did not include the sentence. If they would have done that, then they would have fallen flat on their faces,” the CM said.