Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 4: A man stated to be the author of a book based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s weekly radio show ‘Mann ki Baat’ claims that he did not write the book. This has raised questions, if the NDA government has faked the authorship of a book.

A Press Information Bureau press release about the book, ‘Mann Ki Baat: A Social Revolution on Radio’ said Rajesh Jain, a former aide to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is the author.

However, Jain claims that he has nothing to do with the book and told a news channel that he was shocked to see his name as the author. "I used to work for Bluekraft Digital Foundation, which used to organise PM Modi’s Mann ki Baat broadcasts during the release of the book. I was asked by the Prime Minister’s Office to attend the event and was shocked to see my name printed on the cards as the author. At the event, I made it clear that I was not the author," Jain said.

However, he adds that despite pointing out the error, the PIB site and PM Modi's website narendramodi.in continue to show him as the author.

The fake book authorship hit limelight after former union minister Arun Shourie spoke about it during an interview to a news channel. "Rajesh Jain had absolutely nothing to do with this book. He (Jain) is my friend. He told me he had been dragged into the (book release) function, given a speech to read," Shourie said.

The PIB website carries three press releases about the book released on May 25, 2017 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. While two releases mention Rajesh Jain as the author, the third says that it was compiled by Jain.

PIB spokesperson Frank Noronha told media that PIB press release issued on May 26, 2017 mentions that the book is compiled by Jain and does not mention him as the author.

The cover page of 'Mann Ki Baat: A Social Revolution on Radio' bears no name of the author. It mentions at the bottom BlueKraft Digital Foundation and LexisNexis.