Mahajan accuses Sena Nashik city chief of supporting drug peddlers

Nashik: Water resources department minister Girish Mahajan, during a rally at Pawan Nagar on Monday night, claimed that Pravin Tidme, the Shiv Sena's city unit president, supported drug peddlers, and called upon electors not to vote for him or his party. Tidme, however, objected to the claim and approached the Ambad police station, claiming that fake and morphed videos were being circulated to tarnish his image as he is contesting the corporation elections.In Nashik, the Shiv Sena-NCP combine is pitted against BJP. Mahajan addressed a rally at Pawan Nagar, where he showed video and photographs purportedly showing Tidme sharing candid moments with those accused of supplying drugs."We can see that those who are engaged in providing drugs are sharing sweets with Tidme, and even are engaged in celebrations with Tidme on several occasions. This is very bad. If the youth are supplied with drugs by people who are friends with Tidme, then the voters should carefully decide whom to vote for," said Mahajan.Mahajan said his party did not support any kind of drugs or their supply, and appealed to voters to vote for BJP candidates during the rally organised in support of Kailas Chumbhale.Tidme filed an application with the Ambad police station demanding that an FIR be registered against Chumbhale under sections 356 (defamation) and 357 (printing matter known to be defamatory) of the BNS. "I am contesting the elections, and Kailas Chumbhale is circulating these fake videos and photographs. They are morphed, baseless, fabricated, and intended to tarnish the reputation and character of a candidate. This is intended to create a false perception among voters," alleged Tidme.The police said that they have received the application and would do the needful.