BJP snooping on Opposition leaders due to fear of defeat in assembly elections, says CM Stalin

Chennai: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now “hacking” the phones of Opposition leaders as it fears defeat in the assembly elections to five states, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin alleged here on Wednesday.

He also dismissed as “eyewash” the Union Government’s probe into the matter after smartphone major Apple sent out alerts to leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sitaram Yechury that “state-sponsored attackers may be targeting their iPhones”.

Speaking at a marriage function here, Stalin accused the BJP of using agencies like the Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to target its political opponents and those who are opposed to its policies.

“Now, they have tried tapping the phones of Opposition leaders. Apple itself has warned these leaders of such attempts. They have written to these leaders informing of the attempt (to snoop),” Stalin said.

Stalin also termed as a “joke” Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav’s statement that the allegations will be probed. “This is a joke. They do everything and now they say they will form a commission. They are scared of the I.N.D.I.A. alliance,” he said.

The chief minister also claimed that he is getting “encouraging news” about the impending defeat of the BJP in the elections to five state assemblies. “It is only because of the fear of defeat that the BJP is indulging in activities like snooping,” Stalin added.