Amid police security, NCP workers, Ranas hold pujas
Navneet Rana hits out at Uddhav Thackeray, calls him a stumbling block to growth; NCP workers “pray” over inflation distress
NAGPUR/MUMBAI: Independent MP from Amravati Navneet Rana and her husband, MLA Ravi Rana, returned to their hometown with a bang on Saturday. The couple put up a show of strength at the Nagpur airport, then recited Hanuman Chalisa at a temple in the city before proceeding to Amravati, around 150 km from Nagpur. Members of the Yuva Swabhiman Party, headed by Ranas, had put up welcome banners around the city which also announced their visit to Paschimeshwar Maruti temple at Ram Nagar for Chalisa recitation. The banners also had pictures of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) state unit leaders. Meanwhile, tense moments prevailed for a brief period as supporters of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) too had installed posters announcing to hold a “puja” and chant “Sundarkand” against the growing inflation, near the temple ahead of Ranas’ scheduled visit.
Police managed to avoid any clash between the two parties.
Amid tight security, NCP workers completed their programme between 12 pm and 1.50 am. By the time the Ranas arrived at the temple a little after 2 pm, NCP workers had dispersed. The couple, after reciting Chalisa, headed for Amravati by road.
As a precautionary measure, police on Friday served notices under section 149 (preventive notice to avert cognisable offence) of the Criminal Procedure Code on NCP leaders.
Rohit Matani, DCP, Zone I, said the couple was denied permission to hold a procession from the airport to the temple.
After arriving from Delhi at Nagpur airport, Navneet Rana said, “We were virtually detained at the airport VIP lounge for more than 20 minutes.” She also questioned how the state government allowed the NCP to set up a pandal near the temple at the same time.
Hitting out at chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, the MP called him the stumbling block to the prosperity of Maharashtra.
She said they were going to recite Chalisa and say prayers to help the people of Maharashtra get rid of Shani (planet of obstruction). “Nobody is happy under the Thackeray rule. The Thackeray government has been misusing power. He has been taking action against us for political reasons. We have not committed any crime. We are only reciting Chalisa in a temple. Why should anybody object to it? Is worshipping or saying prayers a crime in Maharashtra? We have been fighting for the welfare of poor people, farmers, and labourers.”
When asked about the pictures of BJP leaders on banners, Navneet said they were carrying the pictures of those who supported their programme to chant Chalisa.
She further said they had not violated the bail conditions.
While granting bail, the court had said the couple should not address the press on any subjects related to the Hanuman Chalisa case and should not commit a similar offence. A breach of any condition would lead to the cancellation of bail, it said. “We both went to the Hanuman temple in Nagpur to recite Hanuman Chalisa and perform the puja of Sankatmochan,” she said.
NCP leaders in Nagpur claimed it was a coincident that the couple also came to the temple. “Today being a Saturday, and widely believed as a day to worship lord Hanuman, we used the auspicious day to pray before “Sankatmochan Hanumanji” to rid all countrymen of the devastating effects of inflation,” Duneshwar Pethe, president of the NCP’S city unit, said.