STATE SNOOPING ON ME, ALLEGES VIKHE-PATIL

Opposition leader takes a dig at CM over police watch at his official residence

Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Maharashtra assembly, on Thursday claimed that police was keeping a watch on his official residence.

Taking strong objection to the presence of two Special Branch (SB) officials at his residence in south Mumbai during a press conference, Vikhe-Patil took a dig at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who holds portfolio of Home department.

Two police officials were found recording what Vikhe-Patil was saying about farmer’s attempted suicide at Mantralaya and Kamala Mills blaze. They were spotted shooting photos of the journalist who were asking him the questions. Vikhe-Patil will meet Governor Vidyasagar Rao on Friday and inform him about “secret watch” on opposition politicians.

Vikhe-Patil was addressing the media on Thursday at his residence opposite Mantralaya. Two unknown persons were spotted taking notes of the presser and taking photos of Vikhe-Patil and journalists. When he saw this, Vikhe-Patil asked them who they were. One of them was Subhash Samant, assistant police inspector and the other was Bajirao Sargar, a constable working special branch (SB-1) of the police department. When Vikhe-Patil asked about their presence, Samant told him that he was asked to attend the press and inform the office. However, when VikhePatil called the Mumbai Police Commissioner, Datta Padsalgikar said he was not aware about it.

Padsalgikar told me that he would look into the matter which is serious, he said. “No police officer will dare to commit such an act without the permission from the government. This shows to what extent this government can stoop to,” he said.

Taking a dig at Fadnavis, Vikhe-Patil said it was a violation of his fundamental rights. “It is against the democracy and the constitution. This government does not have faith in constitution and hence opposing rally in favour of ‘Save Constitution’, he stated.

He recalled despite being expose hiding place of goon Munna Yadav of Nagpur during winter session, police failed to arrest him. He said, “On the other hand, police are being sent to the residence of opposition leader and phone calls are being tapped.”

Meanwhile, he demanded a narco test of the Kamala Mills blaze accused including owners of ‘1Above’ and Mojo’s Bistro pubs and officials of BMC, who were involved in the case.

No police officer will dare to commit such an act without permission from the government. This shows to what extent this government can stoop to - Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil