Maharashtra CM demands ECI action against Shiv Sena chief for ‘distorting facts’

Uddhav Thackeray had released audio clip in which Fadnavis was heard asking BJP workers to ‘use all means’ to win the Palghar bypoll

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is in the eye of the storm due to a controversial audio clip in which he is heard exhorting BJP workers to “use all means” to win the Palghar bypoll, has demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) take action against Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray for “distorting facts”.

Chief Minister Fadnavis accused Thackeray of “insulting the election process”.

The Sena chief released the audio clip on Friday. On Saturday, Fadnavis released the entire 14-minute audio clip accusing the Sena of twisting and “selectively editing” the audio clip.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Fadnavis accused Thackeray of “insulting the election process”. “I have submitted the 14-minute audio clip to the Election Commission. I have requested the ECI that if they feel I have done something wrong, they should take action against me. If not, then those who have deliberately edited the audio clip, action should be taken against them,” said Fadnavis.

The CM said that the audio clip was from a speech he had given when addressing approximately 1,500 BJP workers regarding the Palghar polls.

Meanwhile, Thackeray also adopted an aggressive stance. “We have also approached the Election Commission and anyone who is guilty should be punished. The chief minister has agreed that it is his voice and our focus is on the thrust of the speech,” he said.