09 September,2016 06:00 PM IST | | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday called for 'strictest action' after comedian-actor Kapil Sharma alleged that a Mumbai municipal officer sought bribe from him
Kapil Sharma asked to pay bribe, taunts PM Narendra Modi's 'Achhe din'
Kapil Sharma asked to pay bribe, taunts PM Modi's 'Achhe din'
Popular stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma, who is currently seen on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', took to Twitter on Friday to taunt Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Achhe din' when he was asked to pay bribe by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Kapil Sharma expressed his outrage on Twitter by alleging that despite paying Rs 15 crore in income tax for the last five years, he was asked to pay Rs 5 lakh as bribe to a BMC official to set up his office.
In the next tweet, Kapil Sharma taunted PM Narendra Modi by asking him sarcastically if these were the 'achhe din'.
Here's what Kapil Sharma tweeted:
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis was quick to take notice of the issue and promised prompt action.
Here's what Devendra Fadnavis tweeted:
The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party control the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Its Vigilance Officer Manohar Pawar said it had taken a serious view of the corruption allegation and asked Kapil Sharma to lodge a formal complaint and identify the officer who demanded bribe.
Manohar Pawar told mid-day, "We are yet to find out who demanded the bribe. Our team will approach him and initiate an inquiry accordingly."
Congress MLA Nitesh Rane, said, "What's the use of reacting to one Kapil Sharma? There are many Kapil Sharmas in Mumbai, who face the same trouble with the BMC every day. Act on them too."
City Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam tweeted, "Mr CM don't b so innocent. U, ur party & ur colleagues all r part of #BMC corrupt system for 25 years."
Even leaders in the BMC took note of the incident. Rais Shaikh, group leader, Samajwadi Party, BMC, said, "It's a shame that people have to go through this. BMC should contact Kapil and take details for action."
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, a fierce opponent of PM Narendra Modi, was also found re-tweeting the tweets related to the incident.
BJP legislator Ram Kadam appeared to chide Sharma by saying "he should have complained right when the incident happened," but instead he took to social media to air his grievances. "No matter what tax you pay, there should be no corruption," he added.
Apparently seeking political returns, BJP MP Kirit Somaiya said he was pained to hear Kapil Sharma's experience.
"We shall free BMC from rule of ScamMafias," Somaiya declared, referring to the upcoming BMC elections in February 2017 and the Shiv Sena's virtual control of the body.
Kapil Sharma is currently working on 'The Kapil Sharma Show' on Sony TV with Ali Asgar, Sunil Grover, Kiku Sharda and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Several Bollywood stars choose to promote their films on Kapil Sharma's TV show. Kapil Sharma made his Bollywood debut with 'Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon' in 2015.
(With inputs from agencies)
