Mumbai. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and accused them of politically sidelining senior BJP leader LK Advani. He said that Advani played a big role in taking BJP to the pinnacle of power, but after coming to power, the current leadership of the party pushed him to the margins.
Speaking to news agency ANI in Mumbai on Sunday, Raut said that BJP has forgotten its leaders who contributed to taking the party to political heights from its inception. He alleged that Modi and Shah started ignoring Advani after assuming power.
Referring to Advani's role in the Ram Mandir movement, Raut said that his Ayodhya Rath Yatra and Karseva movement gave a new identity to this campaign. He said that if Lal Krishna Advani had not been there, the nature of Ram Mandir movement and Ayodhya Rath Yatra would have been different.
Raut alleged that Advani had a big contribution in the political position BJP is at today, but after coming to power, he was isolated by the party leadership.
“In the era of Modi, Shah and Fadnavis, the BJP effectively sent Advani, who built the party, into 12 years of political exile,” he said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP also mentioned his old relations with Advani. He said Advani had a close relationship with Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. There used to be talks and discussions between the two on political issues. According to Raut, Uddhav Thackeray also used to go to Delhi to meet Advani and maintained personal relations with him.
Referring to the life consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, Raut said that Advani, who gave recognition to the Ram Mandir movement, was kept away from that historic event. Describing Advani as an 'iron man', he said that he was not a leader who would follow anyone's instructions.
Questions raised on Ram Mandir and Mulayam Singh Yadav also
Responding to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's statement that he had asked Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to apologize before visiting the Ram temple, Raut said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should first apologise.
Referring to Mulayam Singh Yadav, he said that at one time BJP had accused him of firing on kar sevaks, but later he was awarded Padma Vibhushan. Raut questioned why Akhilesh Yadav was expected to apologize in such a situation.
He said that Lord Ram belongs to everyone and should not be limited to any one political party. He also criticized the posters describing Prime Minister Modi as the guide of Lord Ram.
Farmers and Maharashtra politics also targeted
On the announcement by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that ministers will celebrate Diwali by visiting farmers' homes, Raut said that visiting farmers' homes only for one day will not solve their problems. Ministers should constantly go among the farmers and understand their problems.
Describing this initiative as cosmetic, he questioned whether the Diwali dishes served at the farmers' homes were prepared by the farmers themselves or were sent through the Collector's office.
Raut also mentioned the Prime Minister's program of celebrating Diwali with soldiers and said that such symbolic events did not stop Chinese infiltration or incidents like Pulwama.
Statement on Gokul Doodh Sangh controversy and NCP
On the Gokul Cooperative Milk Union controversy, Raut accused Devendra Fadnavis of allegedly promoting illegal appointments out of personal interest. He claimed that efforts are being made to bring back Hasan Mushrif and Mahadik to gain majority in the presidential election.
He alleged that Satej Patil's panel had won the election, but the returning officer gave two seats of his panel to Hasan Mushrif's panel. According to Raut, if this had not happened, Satej Patil's panel would have got 15 seats.
At the same time, on the question related to the possible merger of late Ajit Pawar's party, he called it an internal matter. However, he clarified that Sharad Pawar's parent Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will not join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).