Devendra Fadnavis and wife Amruta slammed by opposition for 'tacky' video

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with wife Amruta in a still from the videoChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is facing the music from the Opposition and environment activists after appearing in a video for a song titled Mumbai River Anthem sung by his wife Amruta and Sonu Nigam The Opposition has questioned whether the CM can lend his bungalow for a shoot or be part of a music video that isnt made for a government initiative Meanwhile activists have termed his appearance as hypocritical alleging he is batting for preservation of rivers while dumping Metro debris in the Mithi riverForest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar is also featured in the videoThe idea of the song was floated by the activists working on the rejuvenation of the Dahisar Poisar Mithi and Oshiwara rivers and accepted by Amruta Fadnavis last June Apart from the CMs family the song also features state forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar BMC chief Ajoy Mehta and city police commissioner Datta Padsalgikar Dont politicize The song which is meant to steer the cause of cleaner rivers in the city takes viewers from the CMs home to a rather pristine water body where Amruta sings about the lost glory of the citys riversAlso read Congress slams Devendra Fadnavis for Magnetic Maharashtra Wizcraft linkAjoy Mehta feature in the video along with Amruta and Devendra FadnavisGopal Zaveri from the River March movement said We had approached Amruta Fadnavis to support our fouryearold cause She showed interest and also came to see the condition of the rivers She supported us because she felt so strongly about the problem There is no need to politicize the issue as it was for a social causeQuestions galoreBut this has not stopped the Congress from raising questions Apart from the music video it has also raised an eyebrow on why music label Tseries was approached for the song and whether any proper procedure was followed to appoint the company Theyve also asked why senior IAS and IPS officers are seen lipsyncing to Sonu Nigams voice in the songCommissioners Datta PadsalgikaSachin Sawant Congress secretary said How can he use the government machinery for an initiative that has no mention of the government in the entire song how can he direct all officers to leave their jobs and do this If it is a government initiative then what procedure was followed to appoint Tseries and if it was so important then why wasnt the opposition informed about this How can the CMs official bungalow be a part of this video As the CM he is answerable to the citizensThe hypocrisyAs for the activists they allege the CMs move is hypocritical especially since he has backed the Metro III car shed in Aarey Milk Colony despite opposition from all corners Stalin Dayanand from NGO Vanshakti said His hypocrisy and commitment to the environment is clearly demonstrated by his refusal to save Aarey from needless destruction despite having options to save the forest CM should remember he is the senior most responsible head and face of the government and not some wannabe rock starHe added The video only showcases Fadnaviss priority and fulfillment of his ambition to be a model which he aspired to in his younger days Do it by all means but not when you are the CMEnvironment activist Zoru Bhathena said The CM is a very good actor he should have shot in front of the Mithi River which needs immediate attention instead of going and shooting here and there The Metro which is headed by him is blocking the flow of water by dumping debris in Mithi thus disturbing its flowPrivate initiativeMeanwhile the CMs office deemed this a private initiative An official said This is a social cause and a private initiative Not a single rupee of the Maharashtra government has been spent in making the video Sachin Gupta the producer and director of the song and video said Our dignitaries have given time to this cause out of their busy schedule and we have tried to show that if the rivers can be beautiful inside SGNP they can also be kept clean outside for which citizens awareness is necessaryEven in foreign countries several ministers participate and dance in carnivals for social causes to support their people and this is something similar they have done a good job If dignitaries are coming and supporting the cause we should stand with them instead of making fun of the whole situation When asked about Tseriess role in the video he said We asked them to support the cause and help us promote the audio and video on their popular channelsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates