The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) once-all-weather ally Shiv Sena has scoffed at the alleged Maoist letter suggesting a plot to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a Rajiv Gandhi-type incident by saying the conspiracy appears like the story of a horror film and is "laughable".

Terming the assassination plot of Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis a "thrilling horror story", an editorial in Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamana said on Monday that such information often does the rounds ahead of elections.

The PMs security is as strong as Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad and virtually impossible for anybody to penetrate it, the editorial claimed. Similarly, Fadnavis has converted the state secretariat into a "fortress", where the movement of the common man has become difficult, it alleged.

In this backdrop, a plot to eliminate the CM is no less than the script of a horror and suspense film, Saamana further said. Quoting the contents of the letter, according to which Modi has succeeded in forming governments in 15 states. If this continues, the organisation will be in trouble. And thus, Modi should be eliminated, the editorial said, "All this was revealed by the police, which seems laughable.

In further sarcastic remarks, the paper said, "Politics should not be played over security of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. They should be given security. It is ok if lakhs of people die (in Naxalite attacks); however, they should live. Some say that a part of the BJP considers Modi and Fadnavis as thorns and has given a supari (contract) to Naxalites to eliminate them. However, such statements should not be given much importance."

Sharad Pawar had challenged the authenticity of the letter on Sunday. The letter is being used to win people's sympathy as the BJP is losing popular support, the Nationalist Congress Party president and former CM had claimed.

The comment drew sharp reactions from the BJP with Fadnavis, who is visiting Canada, saying the police has all the evidence and Pawar is not expected to stoop down to this level. It is very unfortunate that Sharad Pawar ji is raising doubts about the communication ceased by the police which revels the plot to assassin PM Narendra Modi . The PM is the leader of our nation and not just of a political party. Pawar is not expected to stoop down to this level. Police has all the evidences and truth will prevail, he tweeted.

Fadanvis was quickly rebutted by Pawar's nephew and former Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Fadnavis diverting attention from real issues, as always. Clear that he's failing on law and order too. Reports that our cities in Maharashtra are increasingly unsafe being obscured by this frivolous scare campaign. Citizens first CM sahib, he tweeted.

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