Maharashtra government is snooping on me, says Opposition leader Vikhe-Patil

The Congress party leader made the allegations after two police personnel were reportedly found to be attending a press conference at his official residence opposite Mantralaya.

Maharashtra Opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil on Thursday alleged the state government is snooping on him.

The Congress party leader made the allegations after two police personnel were reportedly found to be attending a press conference at his official residence opposite Mantralaya. (FILE)

The Congress party leader made the allegations after two police personnel were reportedly found to be attending a press conference at his official residence opposite Mantralaya. According to Vikhe-Patil, the two police personnel -- assistant police inspector Subhash Samant and police naik Bajirao Sargar – work with the special branch of the Mumbai police. He alleged the two policemen took notes, pictures and asked questions to reporters at the press conference held in south Mumbai.

Vikhe-Patil termed the incident “violation of the rights of the constitutional position” he holds, and added he would lodge a complaint with the governor on Friday. “This government does not have faith in the Constitution, which is why they are snooping on Opposition leaders,” Vikhe-Patil said in a statement. He said such instances are forcing the Opposition to carry out a march to “save the constitution”. Raising doubts, he said the government might be tapping his phones too.

Vikhe-Patil said he spoke to Mumbai police commissioner Datta Padsalgikar about the incident and the Mumbai top cop promised action.

Launching an attack on the BJP-led government, the senior Congress party leader said, “This government does not want an opposition. Whoever opposes them is called anti-national.”

Despite several attempts, minister of state for home Ranjit Patil was unavailable for a comment.