Maharashtra Minister Clarifies Statement on Phone Surveillance, Explains BJP's Internal Communication System

Revenue Minister and former state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule found himself in controversy following statements made at a BJP function.

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule caused significant controversy when he claimed during a BJP function that all mobile phones and WhatsApp accounts were under surveillance. This statement, made on October 23 ahead of local and civic elections in Maharashtra, quickly drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut responded forcefully, demanding Bawankule's arrest and questioning the legality of such surveillance. "Register a case against Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule under the Indian Telegraph Act and arrest him immediately. What kind of machine did Bawankule bring himself? Or did he install it in the BJP office?" Raut asked reporters.

Following the backlash, Minister Bawankule issued a clarification on Friday, explaining that his comments referred to an internal BJP communication system. "One lakh WhatsApp groups of BJP booth chiefs are connected to the party's war room, which facilitates internal communication," he stated, adding that this system helps monitor the implementation of government welfare schemes.

Bawankule elaborated that the party reviews comments and reactions from workers through these WhatsApp groups. "During the election period, everyone contributes to the party's work. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis brought these schemes for the state's development, and we monitor all the schemes implemented by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre," he said.

He emphasized that this monitoring system helps improve communication between workers and the party leadership. "The party decides its stance after reading comments on the WhatsApp groups. Negative emotions are removed, and positivity is created. This improves communication between the workers and the party," Bawankule explained, dismissing Raut's criticism by asking, "Who is Sanjay Raut to decide what we should do in our party?"

The minister further described the purpose of the BJP's communication network: "During elections, both negative and positive news circulate. Our system works to monitor the comments of our workers. Through these groups, they work on understanding public expectations, identifying problems, and addressing them."

Regarding the upcoming local and civic body elections, Bawankule expressed confidence in the MahaYuti alliance's prospects. "Our first emphasis is on the grand alliance. No matter how much the Maha Vikas Aghadi unites, the Mahayuti will win 51 percent of the votes in all Zilla Parishads and Municipal Corporations."

He claimed that the BJP-led coalition would secure more votes in these elections than in the Assembly elections, and that the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi would fail to win "a single Zilla Parishad or Municipality."

Bawankule also suggested that many Congress leaders and workers want to join the BJP, attributing this to poor communication within the Congress party. "Congress does not communicate effectively with its workers, and good office bearers are sidelined. There has been a huge gap in communication between the Congress leadership and its grassroots workers."

In contrast, he highlighted the accessibility of BJP leadership: "A BJP worker can meet any senior leader — something impossible within the Congress. The workers there are divided due to internal discord."

The minister concluded by emphasizing the importance of unity within the Mahayuti alliance, noting that workers have been instructed to avoid internal conflicts. "Some individuals are habitually attacking leaders from allied parties due to personal enmities. Mahayuti workers should understand who their real opponents are," he stated, adding that alliance partners would follow a common code of conduct under the guidance of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers.