'Can Beat Up Modi': Video Of Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole Goes Viral

The video clip, in which Nana Patole is speaking in Marathi, was tweeted by a channel and then by Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis.

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole (PTI file)

New Delhi: A controversy erupted on Monday after a video showing Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole saying that he could beat up and abuse Modi went viral, PTI reported.

The video invited a sharp response from BJP even as Patole later clarified that he was not referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi but a local village goon who shared the surname of the PM.

पाकिस्तानच्या सीमेनजीक पंजाबमध्ये मा. पंतप्रधान नरेंद्र मोदीजी @narendramodi यांचा ताफा 20 मिनिटे खोळंबून राहतो, तेथील काँग्रेसचे मुख्यमंत्री त्याची साधी दखल सुद्धा घेत नाहीत.
आता महाराष्ट्राचे काँग्रेस अध्यक्ष म्हणतात, मी मोदींना मारु शकतो, शिव्या देऊ शकतो... https://t.co/JdzCZkrpHi

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 17, 2022

The video clip, in which Patole is speaking in Marathi, was tweeted by a channel and then by former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis.

In the video, Patole is seen talking to villagers in Bhandara district and saying, "I can beat Modi, I can badmouth him. Which is why he came to campaign against me."

After the video went viral, Patole clarified that the villagers had complained to him about a local goon named Modi in his constituency and he was referring to him.

He further said that the video was "viciously" being made viral on social media.

"Let me clarify again that I was not talking about the Prime Minister, but about a local goon named Modi," PTI quoted Patole as saying.

"People of Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patoleji’s constituency was complaining about local goon who is known as Modi. Whatever Patole ji said it was about him and not about honourable PM Narendra Modiji," tweeted  Maharashtra Congress general secretary Atul Londhe Patil.

people of Maharashtra Congress president Shri Nana patoleji’s constituency was complaining about local goon who is known as Modi whatever patoleji said it was about him and not about honourable PM Narendra Modiji

— Atul Londhe Patil (@atullondhe) January 17, 2022

Devendra Fadnavis raked up Prime Minister's recent security breach in Punjab to hit out at the Congress

"Now, the Maharashtra Congress chief says he can beat up Modi and badmouth him. What is happening with the Congress. The party, which at some point of time, was involved in the freedom struggle, has stopped this low," Fadnavis tweeted.

Fadnavis went on to say that Patole had grown only physically, not mentally.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted the clip of Patole and said, "Now you know why PM Security breach was a SAAZISH (conspiracy)."