MUMBAI: State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule’s holiday in Macau led to a political row on Monday with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut posting a picture of the BJP leader on X and claiming he had gambled at a casino there and blown up Rs 3.5 crore in a single night. “I have 27 more photos and 5 videos. If these are revealed, the BJP will have to shut shop,” Raut said.
Bawankule clarified on X that he had gone on a holiday with his family to Macau and posted a picture with them.He said the restaurant and casino were located on the ground floor of the same hotel and he had eaten there. The post was later removed. The BJP said Bawankule did not gamble and retaliated by tweeting a picture of Aaditya Thackeray drinking from a glass at an event and asked what brand of whisky he was drinking. Raut replied saying, “It’s the same brand Prime Minister Modi drinks when he is abroad.”
The war of words between the former allies began with Raut’s posts on Monday afternoon which showed a photo purportedly that of Bawankule seated amid large computer screens.
Raut’s post tweet said, “Maharashtra is burning and this gentleman is gambling in a casino in Macau. Zoom in and see. Isn’t that him?” He later posted, “19th November midnight in Macau. Eyewitnesses say Rs 3.5 crores were blown up.” He followed it up with another post which said, “He says he had gone to Macau with his family. Is the family seated with him Chinese? He says he never gambles. But then what is he doing?”
He later told the media, “We have heard that Telgi blew up Rs 1 crore in a bar in one night. Here, I believe Rs 3.5 crores was blown up in one night.” State Congress chief Nana Patole jumped in by saying, “Maharashtra is facing a drought and such a picture has been posted. The home minister should inquire into this and if necessary, have a CBI inquiry.”
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis hit back at Raut and said his actions reeked of desperation and frustration. Fadnavis said Bawankule was there with his family and they were eating food at a restaurant which also houses the casino. “An incomplete photo has been uploaded. The complete photo clearly shows Bawankule, his wife, daughter and his entire family. This kind of distorted mentality should end,” Fadnavis said.
The BJP retaliated by posting a picture of Aaditya drinking from a glass at an event with actor-director Farhan Akhtar in the foreground. “Bawankule has never gambled. Those whose life has become a gamble don’t think beyond this. Raut, tell us which brand of whisky is in Aaditya’s glass?”
Bawankule clarified on X that he had gone on a holiday with his family to Macau and posted a picture with them.He said the restaurant and casino were located on the ground floor of the same hotel and he had eaten there. The post was later removed. The BJP said Bawankule did not gamble and retaliated by tweeting a picture of Aaditya Thackeray drinking from a glass at an event and asked what brand of whisky he was drinking. Raut replied saying, “It’s the same brand Prime Minister Modi drinks when he is abroad.”
The war of words between the former allies began with Raut’s posts on Monday afternoon which showed a photo purportedly that of Bawankule seated amid large computer screens.
Raut’s post tweet said, “Maharashtra is burning and this gentleman is gambling in a casino in Macau. Zoom in and see. Isn’t that him?” He later posted, “19th November midnight in Macau. Eyewitnesses say Rs 3.5 crores were blown up.” He followed it up with another post which said, “He says he had gone to Macau with his family. Is the family seated with him Chinese? He says he never gambles. But then what is he doing?”
He later told the media, “We have heard that Telgi blew up Rs 1 crore in a bar in one night. Here, I believe Rs 3.5 crores was blown up in one night.” State Congress chief Nana Patole jumped in by saying, “Maharashtra is facing a drought and such a picture has been posted. The home minister should inquire into this and if necessary, have a CBI inquiry.”
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis hit back at Raut and said his actions reeked of desperation and frustration. Fadnavis said Bawankule was there with his family and they were eating food at a restaurant which also houses the casino. “An incomplete photo has been uploaded. The complete photo clearly shows Bawankule, his wife, daughter and his entire family. This kind of distorted mentality should end,” Fadnavis said.
The BJP retaliated by posting a picture of Aaditya drinking from a glass at an event with actor-director Farhan Akhtar in the foreground. “Bawankule has never gambled. Those whose life has become a gamble don’t think beyond this. Raut, tell us which brand of whisky is in Aaditya’s glass?”