Congress hits out at Maha CM over 'ADHM' release

CM Fadnavis has demeaned his office & disregarded Constitution by playing vendor to diktats of MNS.

New Delhi, Oct 23: Congress today hit out at Devendra Fadnavis for "brokering" a truce with MNS chief Raj Thackeray over the release of 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', saying the Maharashtra Chief Minister would now be the country's "new Censor Board".

"CM Fadnavis has demeaned his office & disregarded Constitution by playing vendor to diktats of MNS. Democracy shrugged for a BMC election deal," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said in a series of tweets.

He alleged that "Self styled goons, compliant film makers bartering freedom of expression brokered by BJP's Maha.

CM would now be India's new Censor Board." Earlier, he had wondered on the micro-blogging site as to "Why would our proud IndianArmy accept donations forced by MNS goons from subservient filmmakers with profit motive?" Under pressure from political and other outfits, Bollywood film producers had yesterday announced that they would not engage with Pakistani artistes, clearing decks for the smooth release of Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" as MNS withdrew its threat to stall the screening.

The movie had been embroiled in a controversy over the past few weeks after the MNS opposed the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors after the Uri terror attack, putting a question mark on the fate of movie, slated for Diwali release on October 28.

The movie features Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

PTI