The Congress on Saturday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis if the audio clip, in which he is purportedly heard encouraging party workers to use “all means” necessary to secure a win in the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll on May 28, is found to be authentic.
State Congress president Ashok Chavan said, “The Chief Minister must give a clarification on this clip. The Election Commission (EC) must probe the matter. If the clip is found to be authentic, the CM must resign. If it turns out to be fake then Uddhav Thackeray must explain and take action against those who floated the clip.”
Mr. Chavan said the situation in Palghar was like a “gang war”. “We doubt if the election can be held in a free and fair manner,” he said. Referring to the face-off between ruling allies BJP and Shiv Sena, he said, “This by-election is not just about Sena and BJP. Congress, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, CPM are also contesting,” he said.
Several other political leaders have demanded an inquiry into the clip, and action against Mr. Fadnavis if the EC finds the clip authentic.
The unverified clip has already gone viral on social media and being played by select news channels. Mr. Fadnavis has said the audio has been tampered with.
