 "Uddhav Thackeray")
The Shiv Sena today dubbed as "laughable" the alleged Maoist letter suggesting a Maoist plot to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the conspiracy does not seem legitimate and appears like the story of a horror film.
In remarks laced with sarcasm, it said high-profile leaders ought to be provided elaborate security cover irrespective of lakhs of people dying in attacks by insurgents.
Making light of the alleged threats by Maoists to the prime minister and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, it said, "Some say that a part of the BJP considers Modi and Fadnavis as thorns and has given a 'supari' (contract) to Naxalites to eliminate them. However, such statements should not be given much importance."
Politics should not be played over security of the prime minister and the chief minister. "They should be given security. It is ok if lakhs of people die (in Naxalite attacks) however they should live," the Sena quipped in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
A letter purportedly suggesting to assassinate Modi and Fadnavis has come to the fore, however, it is condemnable that the issue is being milked for political purpose, it said.
Modi's security is as strong as Mossad (Israel's intelligence agency) and it is virtually impossible for anybody to penetrate it, the Sena claimed.
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Similarly, Fadnavis has converted the state secretariat into a "fortress", where the movement of common man has become difficult, it alleged.
"In such a case, the plot to assassinate them seems mysterious and the story of a horror film," it added.
Quoting contents of the purported Maoist letter, the Sena 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.
On the one hand, Naxalites plan to procure M-4 assault rifles along with four lakh rounds of ammunition and on the other hand, leave behind an assassination plot as evidence.
"This conspiracy does not seem legitimate, is what being said by experts," the Marathi publication said.
According to police probing the January 1 Bhima- Koregaon caste violence in Pune district, a letter seized from a person arrested in that connection talked about ultras mulling a "Rajiv Gandhi-type incident" and suggesting that Modi should be targeted during his "road shows".
NCP chief Sharad Pawar yesterday said the BJP was playing a "threat letter card" to gain sympathy.
However, slamming Pawar for his remarks, Fadnavis said the Rajya Sabha member was not expected to "stoop down to this level".
