Producer of BJP CD gets anonymous threats

LUCKNOW: In a new twist to the controversy over the BJP CD with derogatory references to Muslims, its producer-director on Saturday alleged that he had been receiving anonymous threats asking him to "own up" making it.

"I have been receiving threats that unless I own up the entire responsibility of making the CD, I may have to face serious consequences," Chaudhary Virendra Singh said from Saharanpur but did specify who was behind the threats.

BJP's media in-charge N R Rana rubbished allegations that its office-bearers were in any way involved in issuing threats to Singh and asked the government to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Singh and the script-writer of the CD, Pravesh Gujjar, claimed that they had received threats from Lucknow and Delhi.

They also claimed the BJP had provided them materials to produce the CD.

"We are professionals and have nothing do with politics. We did the job and handed over the CD to state BJP cultural cell president Alpana Talwar against the mutually agreed payment," said Singh.

They said the CD had been prepared from excerpts of footage from various CDs and other materials provided to them by the BJP.

"If at all someone is to be made accountable for the CD, it is the BJP leaders and not small fry like us," Singh said.

An FIR has been filed in a police station here against BJP chief Rajnath Singh, senior leader Lalji Tandon and other leaders for producing the CD. The action was taken on the directive of the Election Commission.