Had opposed MNS's Rs 5 crore demand at meeting: CM

Facing heat over "brokering" a deal between producers of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" and MNS chief Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis maintained that he had opposed the offer of Rs 5 crore contribution from the film makers to the Army welfare fund.
Fadnavis, however, defended his intervention to resolve the issue, saying democratic governments at times would even talk to separatists and left ultras for the sake of peace.
Karan Johar's film faced protests by MNS workers for casting Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. The film's smooth release, later this week, was ensured at a meeting of Film Producers' Guild, producers and MNS leader Raj Thackeray, mediated by Fadnavis last week.

A key demand conceded at the meeting was Rs 5 crore contribution from makers for the army welfare, which sparked strong reactions from opposition parties and some army veterans.
"Thackeray had put three demands, out of which there was no objections to the other two. When the issue of Rs 5 crore came up, I intervened and made it clear to the Film Producers' Guild that they need not have to agree to it. I also told them that the contribution has to be made voluntarily. However, it was producers' decision to accept it," Fadnavis said last evening at his residence 'Varsha'.

"I categorically told that although it is nice that the Guild has decided to stand by the families of our martyrs but it is not a compulsion. Still if they wish to do, they may contribute whatever amount they feel (is) appropriate. This figure of (Rs) 5 crore came from MNS but was not agreed in the meeting and turned down then and there only," he said.

Asked about the opposition allegations of "brokering" the deal shirking his prime duty of ensuring land and order, he said, "Another choice was deploying thousands of police staff outside theatres (when film releases). I would then face allegations like I have spoiled Diwali holiday of police staff. Issues should be solved by talking, and we are a democratic government," he said.

Before the intervention, Mumbai Police had arrested MNS activists who demonstrated over the issue, hence there should not be any doubts about the government's intentions. Some even called that the government is playing both sides, which is not true, he added.
Apart from the opposition, ruling partner Shiv Sena has slammed Fadnavis's intervention in the matter and had termed it as an act of "siding with Pakistani personalities."
On this, the CM said, "Did our governments not talk with separatists like Hurriyat (Conference) or negotiate with Naxal groups for peace? Then holding discussions with a political party, though this is a comparatively a minor ssue, should not be criticised so bitterly. I think, successful mediation has disappointed some people," he said.

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Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Congress today hit out at Fadnavis for justifying his stand to "broker" a deal between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and filmmaker Karan Johar by likening it to talks with Hurriyat and Naxals.
Talking to reporters, party spokesman Sachin Sawant described Fadnavis's comments as "unfortunate" and "shocking".
"Does he mean to say that the situation in Maharashtra is like the one in Kashmir or in Naxal-infested states. Does he position Raj Thackeray to serious issues like Hurriyat and Naxal," Sawant asked.
He said that by brokering a deal between MNS and Johar, the CM had skirted his constitutional duties and it was sad that he was justifying his actions.

Sawant said producers of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" Dharma productions and UTV had produced "Wake up Sid" in 2009.
"MNS had opposed the film release then saying the mention of Bombay should be replaced with Mumbai. Karan Johar visited Raj at his residence and it was agreed that he would show a disclaimer before the film's screening and the issue was resolved. Similarly even now, Johar has agreed to put a disclaimer. If Johar and Raj have known each other for the last so many years and have agreed to a settlement before, what was the need for Fadnavis to intervene in the matter," he asked.

Fadnavis should clarify what issues did he help to resolve, which both MNS and Johar could not solve this time. Also, Johar should come clean on speculation in the film industry that he had made donations to MNS in 2009, he said.
"In 2010, MNS had opposed involvement of Pakistani artistes in Bigg Boss reality show. A campaign was launched against the show and after discussions with the channel hosting the show, the agitation was called off. But, those cinema wing office-bearers became TV serial producers and produced shows for the same channel. Is this just a coincidence?" Sawant asked.