MUNDE COUSINS AT LOGGERHEADS

An FIR has been lodged against NCP leader Dhananjay Munde for allegedly making obscene comments against his cousin and Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde at an election rally. A video purportedly showing the NCP leader making the remarks went viral on social media, following which a BJP leader from Beed district filed a police complaint. The NCP leader, however, said the clip has been edited and is fake, and his remarks have been "distorted". In a statement issued on Facebook late Saturday night, he demanded that the authenticity of the "edited" clip be tested in a forensic laboratory. Those who have "edited" the clip should at least respect the holy relationship between a brother and sister, the leader of opposition in the state Legislative Council said. Both cousins are contesting from Parli legislative segment. A livid Pankaja Munde said the objectionable remarks made by her cousin smacked of "pervert politics" and she was feeling disgusted. On Sunday evening, Pankaja also visited Gopinathgad, the memorial of her late father. Dhanajay said he did not use bad words for any of his rivals, despite him being labelled a "monster". "I have engaged in issue-based politics. I have done 'kanyadaan' of my 1,500 sisters (girls). I will never use wrong words about any woman. Hence, workers and citizens should not believe in rumours," he added. Pankaja said she felt like quitting politics for a while after hearing the remarks which were made in a bad taste. "I am strong. I will not sit at home. Only, as a woman I felt bad," she explained.