Upping the ante over the incidents of assault on a retired Navy officer by Shiv Sainiks and alleged efforts by the Udhav Thackeray Government to “implicate” Kangana Ranaut in a drug case, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Sunday rooted for imposition of President’s rule in Maharashtra, even as actress Kangana called on Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and sought justice for her.
Talking to media persons after meeting the retired Navy Officer Madan Sharma at Kandivli residence in north Mumbai, Athawale said: “I met Mr Sharma and made enquiries about his health. He has suffered an injury in the eye. I have advised him to undergo treatment at Mumbai's top eye-specialist Dr T P Lahane”.
Charging that the attack on Sharma was attempt on his life, Athawale said: “The police should have registered offences against the accused under sections 307 (attempt to murder and 326 (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of IPC. Since these IPC sections were not invoked, the accused got the bail easily in the case”.
Athavale, who is also the president of Republican Party of India (A), said that being the principal ruling party in Maharashtra, it was the responsibility of the Shiv Sena.
“But, the Shiv Sena is conducting itself in a vindictive manner. Its workers attacked retired Navy officer and senior citizen Madan Sharma. The Shiv Sena has even defended the attack. The police have not acted sternly against the Shiv Sainiks who attacked Sharma. The accused are on bail now”.
Alluding to news reports that the Maharashtra government had ordered an inquiry into the alleged consumption of narcotic substances by Kangana, Athawale also charged the Mumbai police – under the advice of the Maharashtra government – were trying to “implicate” the actress in a drug consumption case.
Athawale, it may be recalled, had on Thursday visited Kangana’s Pali Hill bungalow and held an hour-long meeting with the actress. Athavale extended his party’s support to the actress.
“Because of the vindictive acts of the Shiv Sena-led MVA government, the atmosphere has vitiated. Under the circumstances, the Centre should dismiss the Maharashtra government and impose President’s rule in the state,” Athawale said.
Meanwhile, Kangana created a minor flutter in Mumbai by calling on Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan here on Sunday to seek “justice” for her in the wake of partial demolition of h4er bungalow at Bandra’s Pali Hill area in north-west Mumbai. Kangana's sister Rangoli had accompanied the actress to Raj Bhavan.
After her meeting with the Governor, Kanagana tweeted: “A short while ago I met His Excellency the Governor of Maharashtra Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari Ji. I explained my point of view to him and also requested that justice be given to me; it will restore the faith of common citizens and particularly daughters in the system”.
Meanwhile, the “Queen” fame actress fired a fresh salvo at the Shiv Sena spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut over that reported statement that it was unfortunate that the BJP was “backing” her despite her likening Mumbai Pak-Occupied Kashmir with an eye on the Bihar Assembly polls.Taking a pot shot at Raut, Kangana tweeted: “Wow!! Unfortunate that BJP is protecting someone who busted drug and mafia racket, BJP should instead let Shiv Sena goons break my face,rape or openly lynch me, nahin Sanjay ji? How dare they protect a young woman who is standing against the mafia!!!”
On his part, Raut said that the Shiv Sena had stopped talking about the statements and issues relating to Kangana. “But, we are keeping a close watch of the Kangana-related events, who is doing what and which party is behind the whole thing”.
Raut’s comment should be seen in the context of Kangana’s statements, the support being extended to her by the Opposition BJP and her meeting with Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari earlier in the day.
Earlier, in his weekly column “Rok tok” published in the Shiv Sena’s official mouth-piece “Saamana”, Raut slammed Kangana, without naming her but merely describing as an actress, for her objectionable statements against chief minister Uddhav Thackeray whom he referred to in singular term as “Tujhe” and even threatened to expose.
It may be recalled that referring to Uddhav Thackeray as “tujhe”, Kangana had on September 9 launched an all out war against the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
“Uddhav Thackeray, tujhe kya lagta hai? (what do you think?)… colluded along with the film mafia, demolished my home and took revenge on me? My home was demolished today, your arrogance will crumble tomorrow,”
Kangana had said in a video message on her arrival in Mumbai.
In his write-up, Raut expressed surprise that the entire film industry kept quiet over Kangana’s statement. “The film personalities should have come forward and taken a stand against Kangana’s view linking Mumbai to PoK. They should have said it is the opinion of Kangana and not the entire film industry. At least film stars like Akshay Kumar should have spoken against Kangana. Mumbai has given so much to people. But, when it comes to expressing their gratitude to Mumbai, they feel the pain,” Raut wrote. “Thackerays control the state. That being the case, there is no need for the Shiv Sainiks to take to streets to create ruckus over the Marathi Asmita (self-respect) cause,” Raut stated.