New Delhi: Following the arrest of Ravi and Navneet Rana, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis accused the state government of misusing the police and registering false cases against political opponents.
Fadnavis termed the Maharashtra government led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray as ‘intolerant’ and said, “The Rana couple had just said that they want to recite Hanuman Chalisa. They did not say that they would [मुख्यमंत्री के] Will protest in front of house or anything. In such a situation, where should one recite Hanuman Chalisa in Pakistan?
Asked whether reciting Hanuman Chalisa is anti-national, he said, “If so, we will also recite Hanuman Chalisa. The government should accuse us of sedition.”
Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly claimed that MP Navneet Rana was abused in jail after her husband MLA Ravi Rana was arrested by Mumbai Police.
He alleged, “A woman MP was misbehaved in the jail. His caste was commented on. He was not given water and was not allowed to use the washroom.
Fadnavis addressed the press conference, skipping an all-party meeting called by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government to discuss the issue of loudspeakers. The former Maharashtra CM said the BJP was also asked to attend the meeting, but in light of the incidents that took place in the last few days, there is no scope for talks.
Regarding the all-party, he said, “Whatever is happening is happening at the behest of the Chief Minister and when the Chief Minister himself is not present, what decisions can be taken in such a meeting? Isn’t it a waste of time.”
Fadnavis said BJP leader Kirit Somaiya was attacked in front of the police, yet he faced challenges in registering the FIR. “Somaiya is a Z security guard and yet he was attacked in front of the police even after informing the police,” he said.
“We are left with no option but to fight,” he insisted. We will not back down. We are not scared. We have the strength to fight back and if need be, we can respond in a similar fashion.
Will the Home Ministry intervene?
Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai on Monday assured a BJP delegation from Maharashtra that the Center would seek a detailed report from the state government on the law and order situation.
A BJP delegation met Rai in North Block and apprised him of the current situation in the state. The delegation also met Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and raised the issue.
Kirit Somaiya also raised the issue of alleged attack on him by Shiv Sena workers.
first published:April 25, 2022, 2:52 p.m.
