The AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) Gujarat chief, Gopal Italia, made a controversial statement alleging that the government has spent over Rs. 830 crores on PM Modi’s monthly radio program “Mann Ki Baat”. He further claimed that the money could have been used for COVID-19 relief work. Following this statement, the Gujarat Police filed a case against him for spreading fake news.
The Gujarat Police stated that Italia’s statement was not backed by any concrete evidence and had the potential to create a negative impact on society. They also added that spreading false information and rumors in the present situation could have serious consequences.
The AAP party has stood by Italia’s statement and claimed that the government should be held accountable for the utilization of public funds. However, the government has denied the allegations and has stated that the actual cost of producing the program is much lower than what has been claimed by Italia.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Gujarat chief, Gopal Italia, has alleged that Rs 830 crore has been spent on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Italia claimed that the government had spent Rs 10 crore on the programme each month since it began in October 2014.
Following this statement, a police case has been filed against him for “spreading false information to defame the government”. The case was filed based on a complaint by a member of the BJP’s legal cell. AAP has stood by Italia’s statement, and the party’s spokesperson said that it was based on “official data and RTI replies”.