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The Congress MLA claimed senior ministers and officials were blackmailed, and warned the Opposition would release the evidence if the government failed to act
Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole (PTI Image)
A fresh political storm erupted in Maharashtra after former state Congress president Nana Patole alleged that top ministers and senior IAS and IPS officers may have been targeted in a honeytrap operation that has rocked the state in recent days.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Patole claimed that the actual number of officials caught up in the scandal is far higher than what is being reported. “The information we have received about this honeytrap incident is extremely serious. Due to such cases, confidential government documents can fall into the hands of anti-national elements, which would be a huge security lapse. This needs to be thoroughly investigated by the police,” Patole said.
He further stated that he has all the evidence saved on a pen drive but does not want to make it public at this stage. “We don’t want to target anyone’s personal life. But if the government does not act, the Opposition will have no choice but to present this evidence before the people,” he warned.
The controversy gained momentum after media reports claimed that several senior officials in Maharashtra were blackmailed by a woman who allegedly trapped them by threatening fake rape cases and making extortion demands.
On Wednesday, Patole raised the issue in the Maharashtra Assembly and demanded a detailed investigation. Opposition MLAs accused the government of going soft on such a sensitive issue and staged a walkout in protest.
Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar asked the state government to take the matter seriously and submit a reply to the House. On Thursday, Patole again raised the issue, following which the Speaker directed the government to take action and report back before the end of the session on Friday.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured the House that the government would take appropriate action and that those found guilty would not be spared.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam, talking to reporters in Vidhan Bhavan premises, said politicians claiming to possess evidence of blackmail should submit it to the state government instead of demanding clarifications in the legislature.
The allegations have sparked intense political debate in the state, with the Opposition vowing to keep up the pressure until a fair probe is conducted.
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa…Read More
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa… Read More
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