Maharashtra: Congress clarifies over Nana Patole's 'can hit Modi' remark, says 'he was not referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi'

After Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole courted controversy for a news clip which showed him saying "I can hit Modi and abuse him", his party clarified that the video clip where he is speaking in Marathi is actually a reference to a local goon who shares the surname of the Prime Minister.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted the clip making a reference to the Prime Minister's recent security breach in Punjab.

"Now you know why PM Security breach was a SAAZISH (conspiracy)," Mr Poonawalla said. He was referring to the PM Modi's recent trip to Ferozepur in Punjab where he was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes due to the road being blocked by some protesters. The Ministry of Home Affairs had termed it as a "major lapse" in his security.

However, Congress quickly issued a clarification saying the Maharashtra state party chief was not referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but some local goon who shares his surname. People in Mr Patole's constituency were complaining about a local goon who is known as Modi, Congress Maharashtra general secretary Atul Londhe Patil said on Twitter, adding that "whatever patoleji said it was about him and not about honourable PM Narendra Modiji".

The Congress party has issued a clarification stating that Nana Patole was talking about a local goon called Gopanrav Modi and not Narendra Modi.

Mr Patole in the controversial video was heard saying, "I have been in politics for the last 30 years. In five years a politician can provide for an entire generation. By building schools and colleges they can provide for two generations. I don't own even one school and nor I have I taken any contract from anyone. I help whoever comes to me for help. That's why I can hit Modi and abuse him."

Shehzad Poonawalla alleged on the lines of PM Modi's security breach in Punjab.

The Congress government in Punjab has also appointed a high-level panel to probe the alleged security breach.