Athawale slams Patole over threat to stall films of Big B, Akshay

Union Minister and Republican Party of India chief Ramdas Athawale criticised Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole for threatening to withdraw permission for film shootings involving Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar. The Congress chief made the 'threat' citing the actors' apparent silence over fuel price rise in the country.

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Union Minister and Republican Party of India chief Ramdas Athawale on Friday slammed Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, for his comments on some actors not taking a stand on the fuel price hike.

"Congress leader Nana Patole has threatened to stop shooting for Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar's films. We oppose that threat. The Republican Party will protect the shooting of Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar's movie," Athawale said in a tweet in Marathi.

Earlier this week, Patole had said if actors Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar do not take a stand on the issue of fuel price hike, then screening of their films and shootings would not be allowed in Maharashtra.

Filmstars like Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar, through their tweets, had earlier criticised the fuel price rise during the Manmohan Singh-led government, he said.

"Why are they silent now on the rising prices of petrol and diesel?" Patole had asked.

Read:Why are celebs silent on fuel price hike: Nana Patole

The prices of branded or additive-laced petrol, which attracts higher taxes, have crossed the Rs 100-mark in some places, including Maharashtra.

Patole said the common man has been affected a lot by the increase in prices of petrol and diesel.

"If they do not take a stand now on the injustice meted out by the Modi government, we will not let any films (screening) or shootings of Amitabh Bachchan or Akshay Kumar in Maharashtra," the Congress leader said.

They should now play the same role and protest against the central government's "anti-national policy", as they did during Manmohan Singh's tenure, Patole said.

Read:Maha Dy CM warns of action against people found without masks