Hema Malini pictures leave BJP red-faced
The BJP on Friday was left embarrassed when actor-turned-politician and its Mathura MP Hema Malini tweeted and also uploaded her photographs of a film shooting in Mumbai even as her party launched a scathing attack on the UP government in the wake of the encroacher-police clash that left 24 people dead in her parliamentary constituency. Among the dead were superintendent of police, Mukul Dwivedi, and Farah station house officer, Santosh Yadav.
She later deleted her posts and condoled the death of the SP and SHO in the Mathura incident, but her fresh tweet put the party in another spot as she responded to the incident saying: “Will go there again if my presence is required.”
Speculation was rife that she deleted her tweets and the pictures of her film shooting in Mumbai’s Madh Island after being reprimanded by the party top brass. She also hoped “for an early release of the film”.
Her fresh tweet read: “I just came back from Mathura and got the news of the violence that has taken place there in which policemen have lost their lives.....So so upset by this news from a place which is so dear to me. Will go there again if my presence is required. My heart goes out to the bereaved.” With Ms Malini missing from action, the BJP sent national secretary Shirkant Sharma to hold down fort for the party.
In her later tweets, she “fervently” appealed to the people of her constituency to “remain calm & not get misguided by violent elements”.
She also claimed that she was “constantly in touch” with authorities and “karyakartas” in Mathura. Describing herself as a “very sensitive person”, she claimed she was “deeply pained” by the incident but “law & order of UP is the core issue. Let’s not divert.”
Replying to media queries later, she said, “I went for shooting. I was unaware... So, I just tweeted. How do I know this was going to happen My people in Mathura told me that there is no need for you to come as they are handling everything.” The actress said that being an artiste, she had to keep her prior commitments as she had given the dates for the shoot.
With her earlier tweets on the film shooting facing severe criticism on social media and from the Opposition, the BJP was forced to come out in her defence.
The party claimed its Mathura MP was “extremely sensitive” to the situation and will reach Mathura soon. The party also insisted that the issue should not be used as a “diversion” as law and order is the state government’s responsibility and not that of the local MP.
“As far as this issue of Hema Malini reaching Mathura is concerned, I am sure she will be reaching Mathura... Lets not divert the issue as to when Hema Malini will be reaching Mathura. The major issue is law and order is a state subject. The chief minister has to reach there and take stock of the law and order situation,” party spokesperson Sambit Patra said.
Her tweets: Journey to Madh Island used to be tedious those days it used to be a 2 hr journey by road or by ferry the approach to which was horrible...11:09 AM
The upgraded motorised boats take you there in 2 mins and it was a pleasure shooting there with these facilities. A chnage for the better...11:16 AM
I just came bk frm Mathura & got the news of the violence tht has taken place there in which policemen have lost their lives...11:57 AM
So so upset by ths news frm a place which is so dear to me Will go there again if my presence is required.My heart goes out to the bereaved...11:59 AM
Heartfelt condolences to families of SP City Mukul Dwivedi & SHO Santosh Kumar who laid down their lives in the line of duty.....12:26 PM
I fervently appeal to the people of Mathura to remain calm & not get misguided by violent elements ..12:32 PM
I am constantly in touch with authorities/karyakartas in Mathura.I am on my way to Delhi and will reach Mathura at the earliest....3:24 PM
I am a very sensitive person.I am deeply pained on the Mathura incident but Law & Order of U.P is the core issue. Let’s not divert....3:35 PM
I will come but more than my present whats important is presence of law and order in Mathura/Uttar Pradesh...3:43