Video shows Cong MLA being showered with notes, BJP slams him

Congress MLA Naseem Khan faced flak from the BJP on Tuesday after a video showing him being showered with currency notes went viral on social media.

The clip, recorded last week during a religious event of the Bhanushali community in suburban Chandivli area here, shows a smiling Khan being showered with money.

After it was circulated on social media, the BJP targeted the MLA.

BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, "This is the true face of Congressmen...it shows their feudal mentality. This is not the first time (they have been exposed)."

Khan, however, said he had no idea that notes would be showered on him.

 

"I was invited to a celebration in my constituency. The organisers, as part of their rituals, started flinging notes over my head, and I thought I should not stop them because I belong to a different community and I had no idea of these people's way of celebration," the MLA told PTI.

He only knew that the money thus showered is spent for the welfare of the needy and for providing food and shelter to cows, he said.

"I know the importance of money, especially when the cost of petroleum products is so high. Few days ago I had written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asking him to reduce the taxes on petrol and diesel by Rs 10," he said.

Organiser of the event, Mahendra Bhanushali, also defended Khan.

"Showering money is integral part of our religious celebrations, and such money is spent on social welfare, education and Gou-seva (service of cow)," he said.