Maharashtra Congress chief draws BJP's ire for 'hit Modi' remark; issues clarification

On Monday, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole came under fire after a video of his purported derogatory remarks against PM Modi came to light. As per the video shared by former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Twitter, he is heard saying "I can hit Modi, abuse Modi" to locals in Bhandara during the local body election campaign.

Coming down heavily on Congress for stooping down so low, Fadnavis questioned whether it is a political party or an organization spreading "terror". 

"Why do I fight? I have been in politics for the last 30 years. People enrich one generation in 5 years itself. They establish schools, colleges to enrich one or two generations. In my political career spanning several years, I have not set up one school. I help whomsoever comes to me. That's why I can hit Modi, abuse Modi. Therefore, Modi campaigned against me," Patole said in the video. 

Meanwhile, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Narayan Rane condemned Patole's remarks and demanded his arrest. Taking to social media, Rane dubbed it a matter of "national security". In another development, a group of BJP workers led by former Maharashtra Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule filed a complaint at the Kuhi Police Station calling for an FIR to be registered against the state Congress president.

Reacting to BJP's charge, Patole clarified that his statement was not aimed at PM Modi but a local goon named 'Modi'. He claimed, "In our area, there is a local goon and the people were complaining. I was talking about that goon. His name is also Modi. BJP's outrage has no meaning. These people called Manmohan Singh a thief despite being the Prime Minister. I know the dignity of the Prime Minister's post. I did not speak about Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of the country but the local goon. If BJP supports the local goon, it is their outlook." 

Justification of PM Modi's security breach

Earlier on January 5, Nana Patole had stirred a controversy by making light of PM Modi's security breach in Punjab and dubbing it a "drama". Addressing the media, he asserted that the PM had deliberately created this situation to divert attention from the lack of crowd at his Ferozepur rally.

Justifying the road blockade which potentially put PM Modi's life in danger, Patole contended that farmers had shown the latter his place. 

The Maharashtra Congress supremo opined, "The PM called the protesters against the three black laws which were not in farmers' interest 'andolanjeevis, terrorists, Naxalites and Khalistanis'. He says that I am not responsible for the death of 700 farmers. The farmers are still pained that the country has seen a PM who humiliates the farmers for the first time. As a result, farmers of Punjab showed him his right place. Congress is with farmers."