Maharashtra CM's 'audio-clip' kicks up political controversy
Mumbai/Palghar, May 26 : A purported audio-clip in which Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is allegedly heard exhorting his activists "to win Palghar elections" at any cost, has kicked up a massive political controversy here on Saturday.
The audio clip comes on a day when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes four years, and just two days before the high-stakes Palghar Lok Sabha by-elections of May 28.
In the purported audio-clip -- as yet unverified -- which has gone viral on social media and television networks, Fadnavis is directing Bharatiya Janata Party activists to use "Saam, Daam, Dand and Bhed" and win the Palghar by-polls at any cost.
"We have a huge challenge before us....Some people are challenging our very existence. They are behaving like friends but backstabbing us and we must hit back. If anybody is bullying (dadagiri) us, we must attack them. They must know that I am a bigger bully. I am firmly standing behind you," Fadnavis' voice is heard in Marathi.
Last fortnight, Fadnavis had made it clear to all that the Palghar electoral battle would be a tough one when he said: "Come what may, we shall win Palghar seat. This was a BJP seat. What the Shiv Sena has done is wrong. Winning it would be a fitting tribute to the late Chintaman Vanga."
Ruling ally, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray further embarrassed the BJP by playing the audio tape in his public rally on Friday evening, raising the hackles of the partner.
Thackeray, along with state Congress President Ashok Chavan, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi President Hitendra Thakur and other political leaders demanded that the Election Commission should take note of the 'threatening' content in the audio-clip and initiate suitable action against Fadnavis.
However, BJP spokesperson Girish Vyas and other senior leaders dismissed the audio-clip as 'doctored' and said the party would lodge a police complaint in the matter on Saturday, even as Fadnavis was likely to comment on the issue.
This was the second jolt for the BJP in two days as the curtains fall on Palghar by-elections campaigning.
A couple of days ago, Shiv Sena activists caught some alleged BJP workers with a large amount of cash which were reportedly intended for distribution among the voters.
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Meerut Police to issue 'red card' notices to 100 'troublemakers' ahead of Eid
Meerut (UP) (PTI): Ahead of Eid, the Meerut Police have identified around 100 individuals as potential law and order concerns and plan to issue them "red card" notices, an official said on Saturday.
Cases have previously been registered against these individuals on charges of causing disturbances or creating tense situations during festivals, they said.
A red card notice is primarily a preventive tool used to identify, track, and deter criminals and troublemakers.
Senior Superintendent of Police Avinash Pandey told PTI that in order to ensure a peaceful Eid, coordination with all Islamic clerics and mosque management committees has been established.
He said that officials have held discussions with the management of the district's 544 mosques and 146 Eidgahs, and all of them have given assurances that prayers will not be offered on the roads under any circumstances.
The SSP also refuted reports which had quoted him as stating that the passports of those offering prayers on roads or violating regulations would be revoked.
He clarified that no such new directive has been issued by the administration.
However, Pandey added that if any individual violates the law, strict action will certainly be taken against them.
Superintendent of Police (City) Ayush Vikram Singh told PTI that records from the past five years of individuals involved in creating disputes or tense situations during festivals have been reviewed.
Red card notices will be issued to approximately 100 such people, he said.
He noted that individuals from any religious background could be included in this list.
He explained that the notices would serve as a warning that if any attempt is made to disrupt the atmosphere during or around the time of Eid.
A case will be registered against the concerned individual, and strict action will be taken. If deemed necessary, measures may also be initiated under the National Security Act (NSA).
According to police, during Eid last year, an incident involving a scuffle with the police -- stemming from the breaking of barricades and offering of prayers on the roads -- was reported within the jurisdiction of the Railway Road police station area.
In this case, a complaint was registered against around 55 individuals, some of whom are likely to be served with the red card notice.
