Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of using central agencies to pressure political opponents, likening the party to the mythical demon “Bakasura” from the Mahabharata. This comes a day after 7 Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chaddha joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Sanjay Raut alleged that investigative agencies were being deployed selectively to intimidate leaders. Multiple Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids had recently been carried out on certain individuals, creating an atmosphere of fear that eventually pushed some of them to join the BJP. “In today’s politics, people are being forced into submission. Agencies are used, pressure is created, and then leaders switch sides out of fear,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with mythology, Raut described the BJP as a “modern-day Bakasura,” a demon known for its insatiable hunger. “The BJP’s appetite is never-ending. It wants to absorb everyone, leaders, parties, institutions,” he remarked, adding that once individuals join the party, allegations against them are conveniently forgotten.
The Shiv Sena UBT leader, also made remarks about the remarks about US President Donald Trump, who had earlier described India in harsh terms. “When Trump called India a ‘hell’, the current political and social environment is being pushed in that direction,” Raut said, blaming the ruling party for what he described as a deteriorating atmosphere.
Recounting his own experience, Raut alleged that he too had faced pressure to quit his party. He said he had even written to former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu regarding the matter. “There was pressure on me before my arrest as well to leave the party. But I refused to betray my ideology and chose to face jail instead,” he said.
Sanjay Raut said, "Those with significant financial assets are more vulnerable to such pressure tactics. “People with wealth and property feel threatened and seek protection. But we are grassroots workers; we are not afraid of jail,” he asserted. He further criticised the functioning of institutions, alleging that the Election Commission was losing credibility. “The system is being polluted, and institutions are under strain,” he said.
Dismissing claims that the opposition was weakening, Sanjay Raut maintained that a few defections did not reflect a larger trend. “Those who have left are not major public figures. The opposition remains strong and will continue to resist,” he said.
At the same time, he highlighted that some leaders had resisted pressure. Referring to a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab known for environmental work, Raut said the individual had refused to leave his party despite attempts to persuade him otherwise. Raut called the BJP a “dumping ground” for leaders switching sides. “They will continue trying to break parties and absorb leaders, but like Bakasura, even such forces eventually meet their end,” he said.
