A local Congress worker who called Ajay Maken a drunk during a telephone conversation, has lodged a police complaint accusing the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president of abusing him because he is a Dalit. Congress worker Dharmpal Natkhat, who said he often gets threat calls on phone, had taped the entire conversation, and alleged that soon after the altercation, a group of men threatened him and his family, asking him to withdraw his complaint.
It all started when Natkhat had gone to meet Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to wish him on his 46th birthday. He had complained that despite being a party worker and losing a son recently, Maken had not visited his home. When Maken heard this, he allegedly called Natkhat, but the conversation went downhill as soon as Natkhat suggested that Maken should "cut down on his drinking".
The voice on the other end of the line, purportedly of Maken, is heard using an expletive and asking if Natkhat did not know how to speak to others.
“What wrong did I do? I met Sonia ji,” Natkhat told ANI. “They told me if I am seen anywhere nearby the AICC, my second son would be killed. Where should I go now?.. It was shocking that he used such languages,” he said.
“I said I won’t take back the complaint even if it costs my life. Even Oscar (Fernandes) ji came to my place. I am thankful to him. He (Maken) drinks in the evening and doesn’t remain in his senses. I asked him not to drink considering his age,” he added.
Here's the taped conversation between the two:
I came to meet Rahul Gandhi to wish him on his birthday: Dharmpal Natkhat, who was allegedly abused by Ajay Maken pic.twitter.com/7Wp3otBJbu
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 20, 2016
Following which, he (Maken) started abusing me ferociously. What was my mistake?: Dharmpal Natkhat, Congress pic.twitter.com/ixSyk2eDWl
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 20, 2016
Natkhat submitted his complaint at the Mandir Marg Police Station. Maken, on his part, has rubbished the allegations and said the the voice clip was "doctored".
"The tape (voice clip) is doctored. I am in politics for 34 years and I have never used such language against anyone and no one has ever alleged me of using such language," PTI quoted him as saying.
Dharmpal, who runs a catering business, claimed that he was registered as a Congress member way back in 1978 and rose to be elected as secretary of the Delhi unit of party's volunteer wing Sewa Dal.
Claiming his close association with several senior party leaders, Dharmpal also said he was a life member of Congress and will remain so despite the incident. In his complaint, he has asked police for protection expressing threat to life.
"We have received a complaint and looking into it," New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police, Jatin Narwal said.
(With inputs from agencies)