.and the publicist of Accidental PM

TT - 29 Dec 2018, New Delhi: The BJP has sought to rekindle its narrative of Manmohan Singh having been a “weak, remote-controlled” Prime Minister by endorsing the upcoming film The Accidental Prime Minister. .

The BJP's decision to publicise the movie on Twitter triggered a debate that saw some Congress functionaries almost falling into a trap before the central leadership called it another diversionary ploy. .

As a section of news channels reported “source-based” information about the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh planning to ban the film, Congress media-in-charge Randeep Surjewala tweeted: “This is incorrect. MP Govt has taken no such decision. .

Fake propaganda by BJP won't desist us from questioning the Modi Govt….” The Congress also asked its functionaries - especially those in the states and those heading frontal organisations - to refrain from commenting on the film after a couple of them demanded they be shown the film first in a bid to behave like super-censors. .

Conscious that this runs contrary to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's frequent assertions on freedom of expression, the party is said to have told its workers not to add fuel to the fire. .

The BJP had posted the official trailer of the film on its verified Twitter handle and tweeted: “Riveting tale of how Manmohan Singh a family held the country to ransom for 10 long years. Was Dr Singh just a regent who was holding on to the PM's chair till the time heir was ready? Watch the official trailer of #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister, based on an insider's account, releasing on 11 Jan!" Critics said the agenda behind the film, scheduled for release just ahead of the polls, was now clear.

The film is based on a book by Singh's media adviser during UPA-I, Sanjaya Baru. Asked if he was involved with the making of the film, Baru told The Telegraph: "No." On whether the filmmakers had reached out to him in any way, Baru said: "I was not involved in the making of the film. I wrote a book and sold the film rights." PTI reported Singh walked away when his comment was sought..