Congress social media chief Divya Spandana said she doesn't regret calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'thief'. The Lucknow Police had booked Spandana under sedition law on September 25, after she tweeted, "Rafale Deal: Technical HODs at Dassault Aviation claim Reliance Defence was never the first choice, decision to drop HAL was taken by CEO Eric Trappier at the last minute! #ChorPMChupHai [thief PM is silent]."
ALSO READ: Congress wants to cancel Rafale deal: Nirmala Sitharaman
The police charged Spandana under section 124A of the IPC and section 67 of the IT Act, which accuses her of maligning a democratically elected leader and insulting India. The complainant was Syed Rizwan, a Lucknow-based social activist.
also read
- Nitin Nabin takes charge as BJP working president; here's why his succession to party chief's post is delayed
- EXPLAINED | What is VB-G RAM G? New rural employment law to replace UPA-era MNREGA
- 'Modi's grave will be dug' slogan: Rijiju demands apology from Kharge, Rahul Gandhi
- Lionel Messi India visit: PM Modi to skip Delhi event; traffic restrictions in place to avoid Kolkata chaos
- Trade, defence, and diplomacy: What's on agenda for PM Modi's visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman?
The police is now considering summoning Spandana for questioning.
ALSO READ: #RahulKaPuraKhandanChor trends on social media; BJP hits back as Rafale row escalates
Speaking to THE WEEK, Spandana said: "I stand by my statements. It doesn't matter if they [BJP] make a big deal about it. I haven't said anything wrong. He [Modi] is responsible for the Rafale scam, which has costed the nation Rs 1,30,000 crore of taxpayers' money. His party members and ministers have been spinning lies and the PM has never responded or made a single statement in this regard."
Not bothered by the sedition case and criticism from certain quarters, Spandana, on Sept 26, tweeted a still from the forthcoming Bollywood film, Thugs of Hindostan, where Aamir Khan's character says: Dhokha Swabhaav Hai Mera (Betrayal is in my nature). Spandana, below that post, said, "PM Modi to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited."
The actor-turned-politician was appointed the social media chief of the Congress in May 2017.
