Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged in a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, that he has received death threats. Raut claimed in the letter that he and his brother had received threats and urged Fadnavis to take action. The letter is addressed to Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar as well. The call recordings, according to Raut, have been sent to Phansalkar.
The Nationalist Congress Party President claimed on Friday that its chief, Sharad Pawar, 82, received a Facebook message threatening him with the same fate as anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar, who was shot dead in Pune on August 20, 2013.
The NCP chief reacted to a death threat call made to Uddhav Thackeray Faction MP Sanjay Raut, saying, "Every citizen of this state has the right to express their views on any party as per the constitution; in such situations, if someone thinks he can shut the voice down by threats, it's a misunderstanding. I have complete faith in the system and the capabilities of the Police, who are responsible for maintaining law and order, so I am not concerned," Pawar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
"I have been receiving death threats for the past two days. Sunil Raut, my brother and state Legislative Assembly member, is receiving similar calls. Stop criticising the Maharashtra government or we will be beaten to death - this is the gist of the threat," according to a Sena spokesperson, who was quoted by Indian Express.
"I previously informed you of the threats I received, but no action appears to have been taken. It is concerning that photos of the Thane goon who conspired to attack me are being displayed on hoardings alongside the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. The recordings of the new threats I received have been forwarded to the Commissioner of Police in Mumbai. I am only writing this letter for your information," it said.
Raut stated that Pawar receiving a threat on social media was a serious matter and that plans were being made to instill fear in the opposition. "The government, not me, should take it (threat calls to him and his brother) seriously. Such threats are desired by the government. The matter is with the police, and they must investigate," he told PTI.
"Sunil Raut was threatened. I did not file a formal complaint. We are not concerned," said Raut, who has received threats in the past.