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Mumbai, Oct 24 (IANS) Ahead of the upcoming local and civic body elections in Maharashtra, Revenue Minister and former state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule made a sensational statement and claimed that everyone’s mobile phones and WhatsApp accounts have been put under surveillance. He made this comment while speaking at a BJP program on October 23.
However, after Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut criticized him and demanded his arrest, Minister Bawankule issued a clarification on Friday, saying that one lakh WhatsApp groups of BJP booth chiefs are linked to the party’s war room, which facilitates internal communication.
“I made that statement yesterday during a meeting of our Bharatiya Janata Party workers. The work done by our workers, the comments they make, the reactions on WhatsApp – these are reviewed from our war room. During the election period, everyone contributes to the party’s work. At this time, the focus is on the work announced by the party. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis brought these schemes for the development of the state, and we monitor all the schemes implemented. (keep an eye on) do. Narendra Modi government at the Centre,” said Minister Bawankule. He further said that the party workers are aware of this mechanism, which helps in reaching the welfare schemes of the government to the last person of the society.
Earlier, Raut demanded that a case be registered against Minister Bawankule and he be immediately arrested for his statement. “File a case against Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule under the Indian Telegraph Act and arrest him immediately. What kind of machine did Bawankule himself bring? Or did he install it in the BJP office? Or did he hire some private people for this?” Raut asked while talking to journalists.
However, Minister Bawankule reiterated that the party only monitors the schemes and work done by BJP booth chiefs through WhatsApp groups.
“The party decides its stand after reading the comments on the WhatsApp group. Negative sentiments go away and positivity is created. This improves communication between the workers and the party. So, who is Sanjay Raut to decide what we should do in our party?” he asked.
Bawankule said, “During elections, both negative and positive news are circulated. Our system works to keep an eye on the comments of our workers. The party has created one lakh groups of workers and office-bearers, all of whom are linked to the war room. All the office-bearers and workers are aware of this setup, which scrutinizes the information transmitted in WhatsApp groups. Through these groups, they keep track of the public’s expectations.” Work on understanding, identifying and addressing problems.”
Commenting on the Mahayuti alliance contesting the upcoming local and municipal elections together, he said, “Our first thrust is on the grand alliance. For this, a committee of three leaders has been formed in each district. Where two workers have equal strength, they will contest against each other. However, we will ensure that differences do not escalate.”
He claimed, “No matter how much the Maha Vikas Aghadi unites, the Mahayuti will win 51 per cent of the votes in all district councils and municipal corporations. The BJP-led Mahayuti will win more votes in the local and civic body elections than in the assembly elections. The Maha Vikas Aghadi will not win a single district council or municipality.”
Minister Bawankule further said that many Congress leaders and workers have expressed their desire to join BJP as they have full faith in the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis.
He said, “The Congress does not communicate effectively with its workers and good office-bearers are sidelined. There is a huge gap in communication between the Congress leadership and its grassroots workers. However, a BJP worker can meet any senior leader – which is impossible within the Congress. The workers there are divided due to internal strife.”
Minister Bawankule said Mahayuti workers have been clearly instructed to avoid differences and divisions within the ruling coalition.
“But some people are habitually attacking leaders of allies because of personal animosity. Some people are mistakenly considering Mahayuti leaders as rivals. Mahayuti workers should understand who their real rivals are. We are working in the government, and whether other people work or not, key leaders will have to follow the alliance’s code of conduct. BJP will follow the instructions of the Chief Minister. DCM Eknath Shinde and Ajitdada Pawar will tell their leaders about these Will also give instructions to follow the guidelines,” he said.
–IANS
SJ/PGH