Maharashtra's Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated that BJP workers' mobile phones and WhatsApp groups are being monitored. He appealed for maintaining discipline and clarified his remarks while taking a jibe at Sanjay Raut.
Mumbai: Maharashtra's Revenue Minister and senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule said in a party meeting that the mobile phones and WhatsApp activities of BJP workers are being monitored ahead of the upcoming local body elections. Following this statement, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused the BJP of tapping the phones of opposition and allied leaders.
Bawankule said in Nagpur on Friday that Sanjay Raut has a habit of distorting and publicizing any statement. He stated that the BJP's objective is to maintain positive communication between the party and the public through its war room.
Clarification on WhatsApp Group Monitoring
Bawankule stated that the BJP has approximately 1.51 crore members, and every booth has a WhatsApp group. All these groups are linked to the party's war room and are monitored daily. He mentioned that sometimes some workers post negative content, which could affect the party's image.
He explained that reaching the work of the Modi government and the Devendra Fadnavis government to the last person in society is part of this monitoring process. Bawankule added that this provides guidance to party workers and allows for timely resolution of any negativity.
Jibe at Sanjay Raut
The minister, taking a dig at Sanjay Raut, said, “What does Sanjay Raut have to do with the functioning of our Bharatiya Janata Party's war room? He often distorts and publicizes statements. My party workers' WhatsApp groups are monitored so that positive messages reach the public.”
He also stated that questions raised by opposition leaders are intended to influence the political atmosphere and confuse party workers. Bawankule emphasized that the sole objective of party workers should be to serve the public and promote development.
Warning Issued to Party Workers
Bawankule warned party workers that if anyone revolts in the local self-governance body elections, the doors of senior party leaders would remain closed to them for five years. He stated that elections are solely for the development of villages and the welfare of the public, and during this period, no dissatisfaction should be expressed on public forums or social media.
He clarified that all mobile and WhatsApp groups are under surveillance and will be continuously monitored. Along with this, he advised workers to adhere to discipline and support the party's policy.
