PTI, MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra government’s claim about a Maoist plot to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi was today questioned by BJP’s ally Shiv Sena as well as the Congress and NCP chief Sharad Pawar who dubbed it “laughable” and a story of a horror film.
As a high-level meeting presided by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh decided to strengthen the security of the prime minister, the BJP slammed opposition parties for claiming that the plot could be a publicity ploy and said it was the “lowest point of insensitivity and politics”.
While the Shiv Sena said the claim “does not seem to be legitimate,” Pawar alleged the BJP was playing the “threat letter card” to gain sympathy.
“.. the plot to assassinate them (Modi and Fadnavis) seems mysterious and the story of a horror film,” said an editorial in Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamna’.
Quoting contents of the purported Maoist letter, the editorial said, “Modi has succeeded in forming governments in 15 states. If this continues, the organisation will be in trouble. And thus, Modi should be eliminated. All this was revealed by the police which seems laughable.”
Earlier, Pawar raised doubts over the veracity of the threat letter.
“The BJP has realised that they are losing the popular support. In order to gain sympathy, the BJP is now playing the threat letter card. However, I am sure that the people will not fall prey to such tactics,” he said at a function in Pune yesterday.
“I have spoken to a senior retired police officer who told me that when such letters come they do not go to media but to the security agencies which make sure that adequate security measures are taken,” the former chief minister said.
Fadnavis hit out at Pawar, saying he was not expected to “stoop to this level”. In a tweet in Marathi, Fadnavis said that “Pawar ji should play politics of the nation and not politics of hatred.”
