Nagpur, Correspondent
Senior BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has strongly denied allegations made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut that the BJP was tapping phone calls of its workers and opponents.
“We haven’t tapped anyone’s phone. Ahead of the upcoming elections, we have set up a war room to monitor WhatsApp groups created at the booth level for better coordination among our party workers. What’s illegal about that?” Bawankule asked while addressing the media.
At a recent meeting of BJP workers in Bhandara, Bawankule had warned that any worker found engaging in dishonest behavior would face consequences. Raut later alleged that this amounted to surveillance and illegal phone tapping.
Clarifying his remarks, Bawankule explained that the party’s booth-level WhatsApp groups are meant for coordination, addressing grievances, and gathering feedback from workers. “Messages received on these groups are analyzed so that we can resolve issues promptly. If any disgruntled worker tries to post negative messages damaging the party’s image, we take note and act accordingly,” he said.
“This election is about the development of villages, not rebellion. Any worker indulging in anti-party activity won’t be welcomed back easily,” he added.
Taking a jibe at Raut, Bawankule said, “Will Sanjay Raut now decide what I should say to my own party workers? He should focus on stopping defections in his own party instead of interfering in ours. And if he believes my statement is illegal, he should go to the police instead of making noise in the media.”
