Sena, oppn dismiss claim of Maoist plot to target PM "laughable": BJP hits back

The Maharashtra government's claim about a Maoist plot to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi was today questioned by BJP's ally Shiv Sena as well as the Congress and NCP chief Sharad Pawar who dubbed it "laughable" and a story of a horror film.

As a high-level meeting presided by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh decided to strengthen the security of the prime minister, the BJP slammed opposition parties for claiming that the plot could be a publicity ploy and said it was the "lowest point of insensitivity and politics".

While the Shiv Sena said the claim "does not seem to be legitimate", Pawar alleged the BJP was playing the "threat letter card" to gain sympathy.

The comments came against the backdrop of a claim by Maharashtra police that Maoists were plotting assassination of the prime minister as well as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The police, after arresting five people with alleged maoist links last week, had said that a letter was seized from the house of one of them in which there was a suggestion about assassinating Modi in "Rajiv Gandhi-type incident".

".. the plot to assassinate them (Modi and Fadnavis) seems mysterious and the story of a horror film," said an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna'.

Quoting contents of the purported Maoist letter, the editorial said, "Modi has succeeded in forming governments in 15 states. If this continues, the organisation will be in trouble. And thus, Modi should be eliminated. All this was revealed by the police which seems laughable."
It said the issue is being milked for political purpose, adding, "this conspiracy does not seem to be legitimate, is what being said by the experts."
Fadnavis hit out at Pawar, saying he was not expected to "stoop to this level". In a tweet in Marathi, Fadnavis said that "Pawar ji should play politics of the nation and not politics of hatred."