Maharashtra: Nawab Malik flays BJP, accuses it of trying to extort money

Addressing media persons here Friday, Malik said that Sameer Wankhede was working as a puppet of the BJP.

Malik accused Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of trying to malign the Bollywood film industry as he had said that he wants to set up the film industry at “Noida’ in UP, so that he can take away the industry to Noida.

Malik said that Mr Yogi had met with industry celebrities at Taj Mahal Hotel in south Mumbai, adding that for the Bollywood industry Marathi actor and producer V Shantaram, Dada Phadke has given their blood and sweat, therefore it is not easy to shift Bollywood from Mumbai to Uttar Pradesh.

The industry has given the name to actors of all the states of the country, even actors, singers, producers hailing from Uttar Pradesh have found success making their name in the film industry here.

"For the last couple of months, this episode has been going on, it started from Riya Chakraborty, a year ago, but till today no First Information Report (FIR) has been recorded in that case, despite calling several Bollywood personalities for questioning," Malik said

"Through Sameer Wankhede, BJP has been trying to extort money. Mr Wankhede is working at the behest of the BJP government at centre and Uttar Pradesh," Malik added.

He further accused that there are more than 100 innocent people behind bars since for the last one-year, they should also get justice.