Congress Sees Red Over 'Mumbai River Anthem' Featuring CM Devendra Fadnavis, Wife Amruta
"Is dancing to songs the solution of Fadnavis government to save the rivers of Mumbai?" Congress asked.
Mumbai, Feb 28: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came under fire from Congress, which has objected to the 'Mumbai River Anthem' released by T-Series. The video primarily features Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife Amruta Fadnavis. Congress, the prime opposition in the state, has posed a series of questions to CM related to the video.
Apart from Fadnavis and his wife, the video also features State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ajoy Mehta and Mumbai Police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar.
The female voiceover to the video is given by Amruta, while the playback to Fadnavis is provided by noted singer Sonu Nigam. The video, released by T-Series, appeals Mumbai residents to contribute towards saving the four primary rivers of the city - Oshiwara, Mithi, Poisar and Dahisar.
Here is the video of 'Mumbai River Anthem':
Where Congress sees red
The party has sought to know why T-Series, a private music production group, was roped in for the project instead of the state-run DGIPR -- which produces all publicity material for the government.
Congress has demanded Fadnavis to release details of the agreement, "if the government has signed a contract with T-Series".
The party has also asked the BJP-led regime to clarify the process through which T-Series was roped in for the river-saving awareness campaign.
"We want to know whether the taxpayers' money have been used. Who has paid for it?" said Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant.
Congress has also sought a clarification on whether permission was granted to T-Series for using the CM's official residence Varsha for the video shoot.
"And, if the video was private, why were top state officials performing in it?" questioned Sawant. Further taking a jibe against the government, he added, "Is dancing to songs the solution of Fadnavis government to save the rivers of Mumbai?"
In another sarcastic question, the party asked whether government would release another "dance video" to resolve the irrigation and MSP woes of state's farmers.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 28, 2018 12:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).