Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday urged parties that had broken away from the Congress to come together again, emphasizing the need to strengthen the Congress to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rejecting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' recent assertion that the Congress was a 'sinking ship,' Raut asserted that the party remains a formidable political force.
Raut defends Congress against Fadnavis' remarks
'Even today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is afraid of the Congress. Congress was never a sinking ship,' Raut told reporters. He dismissed Fadnavis' comment, which was made a day earlier, stating that a sensible person would not board what he called a sinking Congress ship.
Call for opposition unity
The Rajya Sabha MP appealed to Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar to lead efforts in bringing former Congress allies and leaders back under one umbrella. 'If we truly want to fight against the perverted politics of the BJP, everyone must unite. The Congress party must become stronger. All the leaders who had left the Congress should first come together. If senior leader Sharad Pawar takes an initiative, it would be possible. We are a regional party and we will stand with you,' Raut said.
This is not the first time the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader has made such remarks. Earlier in the week, he had said that parties like the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and NCP (SP), which have their roots in the Congress, should reunite with the grand old party, calling it the 'need of the hour.'
Sharp attack on BJP
Raut launched a scathing attack on the BJP, questioning its contributions to key moments in India's history. 'Show even one per cent of the work that the BJP has actually done. They were neither part of the freedom struggle, nor did they take part in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement. They were nowhere during these movements. These are cowardly people,' he said.
Operation Tiger allegations
When asked about reports of dissatisfaction among Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs amid talk of 'Operation Tiger,' Raut accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of repeatedly attempting to break opposition parties. 'Operation Tiger has been carried out by Union Home Minister Amit Shah a hundred times. Breaking political parties and their leaders demonstrates perversion of democracy,' he said. He added, 'This perversion has reached its peak under the current BJP leadership. However, it will also end one day. There will be a revolt against this kind of perversion in both the state and the country.'
'Operation Tiger' refers to an alleged political strategy reportedly led by the ruling Shiv Sena to attract leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).
Criticism of institutions and PM Modi
Raut also criticized the functioning of institutions, accusing the Union home minister of focusing on matters unrelated to national security. 'The Union home minister remains occupied with matters other than national security. Judges go to London for what appears to be a picnic. The Election Commission (EC) functions like an agent of the BJP,' he said.
The Sena (UBT) spokesperson further targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as an 'aghori' and a cruel figure in politics. 'Never before has such an 'aghori' person been born in this country's politics. Never before has someone so cruel emerged. This country has produced great leaders, such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, P V Narasimha Rao, Rajiv Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Balasaheb Thackeray,' he said.
