Congress comes out in support of Kapil Sharma

Much to everyone’s surprise, Congress Mumbai president Sanjay Nirupam has come out in support of comedian Kapil Sharma, who is in the middle of a controversy over bribery allegations he has levelled against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Mr Nirupam said on Tuesday that the BJP’s ‘dirty tricks department’ was targeting the artist as he had dared to speak about the alleged corruption in the civic body. The BJP, however, said that it has also helped the comedian by asking to him to register a complaint.

“There is a ‘dirty tricks department’ in the BJP which swings into action whenever anyone points a finger at it. The same is happening here with Sharma, who dared to rake up the issue of corruption prevailing in the BMC,” Mr Nirupam said.

The former MP said he was not supporting the alleged violations that Mr Sharma may have committed while having a bungalow constructed in Versova, but claimed that the TV personality-cum-actor was being “victimised by the BJP”.

“If he (Sharma) has done something wrong, the law will take its own course, but I want to expose the way in which he is being victimised by the antics and dirty tricks of the BJP,” he said.

Attacking chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Mr Nirupam said, “The CM does not have any moral right to seek action against Mr Sharma’s so called violations as his own office, as well as many government establishments, have been constructed after norms were flouted.”

The Congress leader has written to Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, alleging there were several illegal constructions linked to political parties in the city, including the CM’s bungalow, the BJP head office at Nariman Point and most shakhas (branch offices) of the Shiv Sena.

Mumbai BJP spokesperson Ram Kadam, though, said the comments did not suit the Congress which itself was “marred by corruption”. “We have supported Kapil Sharma for raising the issue and filed a complaint against the official who demanded a bribe from him,” he said.