‘Reports of conspiracy against Modi a BJP ploy for sympathy’
PUNE: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar accused the BJP government in Maharashtra and at the Centre for playing “sympathy” card by circulating the so-called “threat letters” which, he said, “lacked authenticity”. Pawar’s remarks came days after Pune and Mumbai police claimed the recovery of letters from five people arrested for alleged naxal links.
Police claimed that the letters talk about an alleged plot to purportedly assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a “Rajiv Gandhi-type incident” and targeting Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for initiating operations against rebels.
The NCP chief, while speaking at a public rally to mark the 19th anniversary and valedictory function of party’s “halla bol” (raise voice) function on Sunday in Pune, said that some progres- sive people in Pune came together and organised the Elgar Parishad. However the government is arresting some of them by branding them as “naxalites”. “Everyone knows who were behind Bhima Koregaon (violence) but those who have no connection have been arrested. This is called misuse of power,” Pawar said.
Chhagan Bhujbal, a senior NCP leader and former PWD minister who recently got out of jail on bail in a money laundering case, too was present at the rally.
Pawar said that BJP has realised that they are losing people’s support and are now playing “threat letters” card to gain sympathy. “But I am sure people will not fall prey to such tactics,” he said and raised doubts on the veracity of these letters.
“I have spoken to a senior retired police officer in the CID who told me that when such letters come, they do not go to the media but to the security agencies, and adequate security measures are taken,” said Pawar.
He also said that BJP’S graph is going down in the country.
In response to Pawar’s remarks, the chief minister said in a series of tweets late on Sunday: “It is very unfortunate that Sharad Pawar ji is raising doubts about the communication ceased by the police which revels the plot to assassin Hon PM @narendramodi ji... (who) is the leader of our nation and not just of a political party. @Pawarspeaks is not expected to stoop down to this level. Police has all the evidences and truth will prevail.”