Nawab Malik tweets picture of Fadnavis’ wife with ‘drug peddler’; ex-CM says will expose minister's link with underworld

Mumbai, November 1

Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik on Monday sought to link the BJP with an alleged narcotics dealer by tweeting the latter's photograph with former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' wife Amruta Fadnavis.

Devendra Fadnavis, however, said Malik's tweet reflected his mentality and claimed that he would “burst a bomb” after Diwali by making revelations about the minister's “underworld links”, which he would also share with NCP president Sharad Pawar.

In a series of tweets, Malik, who has been targeting the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) after it raided a cruise ship last month and claimed to have seized drugs on board, posted a photograph of Amruta Fadnavis with the alleged drug peddler.

He also posted a similar photograph of Devendra Fadnavis with the alleged drug dealer.

“Let's have a discussion of links between BJP and drug peddler,” Malik tweeted, referring to the photograph of Amruta Fadnavis with the person. In another tweet, the minister said the person was Jaideep Rana.

Later, talking to reporters, Devendra Fadnavis said the creative team of River March, an organisation working for the conservation of rivers in Mumbai, had hired this person four years ago. Fadnavis was then the chief minister of the state.

The former CM said he and his wife were associated with the cause of river rejuvenation.

“The pictures were clicked during the shooting of a theme song. There are photos along with the team, not only with my wife, but also with me. But, Nawab Malik consciously shared the photograph of my wife. This reflects his mentality,” the leader of opposition in the state Assembly said.

“Those people who have been photographed were brought by the 'River March' (organisation). They are not linked with me or my wife,” he said.

Amruta Fadnavis, a banker by profession who also released her singing album in the past, has been a vocal critic of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi in the state (comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress), and has often taken to Twitter to launch attacks on the state government.

"The cracker just before the Diwali was a damp squib and it gives the impression that Malik has made some big revelation,” Devendra Fadnavis said, referring to the photograph of his wife with the alleged drug peddler.

“Those having links with the underworld and drugs should not talk to me. I will furnish all the proof after Diwali. Law will take its own course,” the senior BJP leader said.

Just after the former CM's press conference, Malik tweeted, “We are ready.” PTI