Randeep Singh Surjewala
Dismissing reports about banning of Anupam Kher starrer 'The Accidental Prime Minister', a film based on the book written by former PM Manmohan Singh's media advisor Sanjay Baru, in Madhya Pradesh, Congress said on Friday that it is BJP's propaganda to divert attention from real issues.
Taking to Twitter, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said fake propaganda by the BJP would not desist his party from questioning the ruling dispensation on important issues.
The clarifications followed a Congress leader aggressively declaring that the film would not be allowed in Madhya Pradesh, which recently witnessed a regime change after 15 years with the Congress taking over from the BJP. Kamal Nath took over as chief minister of the new Congress government last week.
"I have written a letter to the director, we strongly object to the name and what was shown in the trailer. We want to see the film before it is released or else, we won't allow its screening in the state," said Syed Zafar of the Madhya Pradesh Congress.
"Manmohan Singh is an intellectual leader. Using words like "accidental" prime minister is very wrong and we will not allow such a film," he warned.
The trailer of the film, based on the book of the same name by Sanjay Baru who served as Singh's media advisor 2004 to 2008, was released in Mumbai on Thursday.
The trailer shows Singh as a victim of the Congress' internal politics ahead of the the 2014 general elections.
“Riveting tale of how a family held the country to ransom for 10 long years. Was Dr Singh just a regent who was holding on to the PM's chair till the time heir was ready? Watch the official trailer of 'TheAccidentalPrimeMinister', based on an insider's account, releasing on 11 January," the BJP had said on Thursday night.
Congress leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said propaganda against the Congress and its leaders would not work and the truth shall prevail.
His colleague, Congress leader P L Punia, accused the BJP of evading answers on its “mis-governance” after having failed on all fronts.
“This is the handiwork of the BJP. They know that time has come to give answers after completion of five years and they are now trying to divert attention by raising such issues and evade answering to the public after its government failed on all fronts,” he said.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also tweeted on the film, saying, "Can’t wait for when they make The Insensitive Prime Minister. So much worse than being the accidental one."
Directed by Vijay Ratnakar Gutte, the film stars Kher as Manmohan Singh and Akshaye Khanna as Baru.
(With inputs from PTI)
