Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday claimed that his earlier statement, with regards to probe of tweets of celebrities which came in response to international celebrities over the farmers’ protest, "was distorted".

“I had spoken about an investigation on the IT cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). My statement was distorted. I had said that the BJP's IT cell should be investigated. Our probe has revealed the names of the BJP's IT cell chief and 12 influencers," said Deshmukh, in a statement on Twitter.

Deshmukh further said, "Lata Mangeshkar is like God to us and Indians respect Sachin Tendulkar. They are the pride of Maharashtra. There is no question of investigating their tweet. Rumours were spread by the opponents when I was infected with Covid-19."

On February 8, Deshmukh had made the remarks during a Zoom meeting with Congress, a ruling coalition ally in Maharashtra. Sachin Sawant, Congress’ spokesperson had sought an investigation into the BJP's alleged connection with recent tweets of some celebrities on the ongoing farm protest and to find out whether the saffron party "arm-twisted" them in posting those statements which were deemed pro-Centre.