Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut questioned why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) believes that all political parties in the country must seek its approval before taking internal decisions.
Speaking to the media before Parliament, Raut said Ajit Pawar was once a leader of his party, and when merger talks took place between two senior leaders, there was no reason to seek permission from Devendra Fadnavis. He asked why the BJP shows such stubbornness in matters that are purely internal to other parties.
Raut further alleged that when the BJP carried out a “dirty deal” with former US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not consult anyone. “So why should other parties be expected to ask the BJP before taking their own decisions?” he asked.
Responding to Praful Patel’s claim of taking responsibility for the NCP after Ajit Pawar, Raut said Patel has no authority to speak on behalf of the Pawar family. “Is Praful Patel the head of the Pawar family now? Ajit Pawar’s party was the Pawar family’s party, not Patel’s,” he said, adding that Patel should remember this.
Raut further alleged that Patel is a “bhakt” of Modi and Shah and may follow their line, but decisions related to the NCP belong to the Pawar family, not him.
He claimed that the party’s presidential decision would ultimately be taken by Amit Shah, just as decisions were taken in the case of the Shiv Sena Shinde faction.
Taking a sharp swipe, Raut alleged that Shah “created” the Shiv Sena Shinde faction and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP through private company called, Election Commission of India(BJP). He said leaders of these factions are merely “shareholders,” while Shah takes the final decisions.
On Ajit Pawar’s last phone call, Raut said the matter is part of an investigation and all aspects should be examined. He added that during the final call, Ajit Pawar spoke about work beyond caste considerations and did not follow the BJP’s agenda.
