The Congress on Sunday demanded Maharashtra Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' resignation for brokering a deal between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and the makers of the film, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Ally Shiv Sena slammed the BJP for compromising the Army's self-respect.
Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan hit out at Fadnavis, saying that the exhibition of films is guided by the Cinematographic Act that permits screening after clearance by the Censor Board rather than through intimidation by "goons." Blaming Fadnavis for failing to perform duty of upholding the law and maintaining law and order, Tom said it was not surprising that the Army itself had rejected this "blood money."
"The BJP is using the MNS to overshadow the Shiv Sena in all this drama. As far as it is a political move, we are fine with it. But dragging the Indian Army into this for political gains is not only wrong but deplorable," Sanjay Nirupam, Mumbai Congress unit chief was quoted saying by The Hindu while criticizing Fadnavis.
Nirupam said that the Army's decision to reject 'extortion money' is a tight slap on the face of the MNS and the BJP. "The question is who will now benefit from this extortion racket? Is it for MNS' election funding or for BJP," asked Nirupam.
BJP's ally Shiv Sena also targeted the BJP. "Our Army has self-respect. It doesn't need ransom money," said Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.
Nationalist Congress Party spokesperson Nawab Malik also criticised the CM for his arbitration, which, he said, insulted the country's martyrs.
