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Tag: Sanjay Raut

  • Fadnavis must cooperate with Maharashtra CM on OBC quota, says Sena MP Sanjay Raut

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Monday said BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis should cooperate with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to resolve the issue of OBC quota in local bodies in Maharashtra.

    The Supreme Court had recently truck down such quota after observing that the seats earmarked for various communities must not exceed 50 per cent of the total strength of the local body.

    The BJP has been accusing the MVA government of not presenting empirical data in the apex court to show that such quota was needed in local bodies.

    Fadnavis had recently said he could get the OBC quota reinstated if he was given the reins of power in the state for four months, adding that he would quit politics if he failed to do so.

    Speaking on Fadnavis’ statement, Raut said the BJP must stop the former CM from taking such a decision as there was a a paucity of good leaders in the country and the latter’s quitting would be unfair to Maharashtra.

    “His colleagues must persuade him against taking such a decision. The state government is looking into the OBC quota issue and Fadnavis should cooperate with the chief minister in finding a solution. We will not let Fadnavis take political sanyas,” Raut said.

  • Targeting of individuals by central agencies harmful for federal structure: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday said the deliberate targeting of leaders in the ruling MVA alliance in Maharashtra by central agencies was harmful for the country’s federal structure.

    Raut was responding to a query by reporters on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoning former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in a money laundering case.

    Deshmukh was asked to depose before the investigating officer at the ED’s office in Mumbai on Saturday in the money laundering case related to an alleged multi-crore bribery-cum-extortion racket, that led to his resignation from the post of home minister in April.

    However, the NCP leader, whose party shares power with the Shiv Sena and Congress in Maharashtra, sought a fresh date for appearance before the agency.

    Talking to reporters, Raut also said Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik’s letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray highlighted that the legislator was being unnecessarily harassed by the ED.

    He said if there are complaints, the state’s Economic Offences Wing (EoW) or the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) can investigate them.

    “But, central agencies are brought in under pressure to deliberately target…this is out of frustration over the inability to form government here,” Raut alleged, and said “this is harmful for the federal structure”.

    Asked about Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Devendra Fadnavis’s comment that he would quit politics if he failed to restore the OBC quota in local bodies in the state, Raut said the BJP leader in 2014 claimed he would get quota for the ‘Dhangar’ community passed in the first cabinet meeting after assuming power.

    “He was in power for five years, but nothing happened. Whether in power or not, efforts must be taken to resolve issues of the deprived sections of society,” the Rajya Sabha member said.

    Raut said the issue of reservation is for ensuring social equality.

    “Please don’t politicise a social issue. Whether you are in government or opposition, a responsible leader should strive to resolve the issue which the MVA leaders are trying,” Raut said.

    Asked about protests by the BJP and the Congress in different parts of the state on the OBC quota issue, Raut said leaders, in government as well as from the opposition, are expected to behave appropriately at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Police took action against NCP functionaries for COVID-19 norm violations during an event, Raut said, adding that “everybody is expected to follow rules”.

  • Opposition alliance at national level incomplete without Congress: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that work is on to bring all opposition parties together at the national level, and this alliance will be incomplete without the Congress. He said that the Congress will play an important role in the alliance that aims to provide a strong alternative to the present dispensation.

    Raut’s statements come four days after leaders of eight opposition parties, including Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, AAP, RLD and the Left, assembled at NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s residence in New Delhi and discussed various issues facing the country.

    Speculation has been rife that the agenda of the meeting, for which no Congress leader was present, was to discuss a possible alliance which could be an alternative to the BJP.

    Talking to reporters here, Raut said, “There is no need of the third front or any other front. Sharad Pawar has already made it clear. Similarly, Shiv Sena through (party mouthpiece) ‘Saamana’ has voiced similar sentiments. And I have also read that the Congress has endorsed this view.”

    “The Congress will play an important role in the alliance. It will be a strong alternative to the present dispensation…Work is in progress to bring all the opposition parties together, which will not be complete till the Congress is roped in,” he said.

    Sharad Pawar on Friday claimed that formation of any national alliance was not the topic of discussion at the meeting of eight opposition parties hosted by him, but also said that if any such coalition emerges, its leadership will have to be “collective”.

    A day after that meeting, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole had said that any attempt to form an ‘anti-BJP front’ without his party will indirectly help the BJP. On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh’s premises in Mumbai and Nagpur as part of a money-laundering probe against him.

    It also arrested Deshmukh’s two aides in this connection. Without naming the BJP, Raut said, “The ED action against Anil Deshmukh amounts to targeting political rivals out of frustration since they were unable to form the government in the state. Sharad Pawar has also said the same thing.”

    “The state investigation agencies can also probe important cases, but attempts are on to target NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress. We will also see,” Sena’s Rajya Sabha member said.

  • Sanjay Raut assures Maha Vikas Aghadi stands united, says attempts to break alliance will go in vain

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Assuring that the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance stands united and is committed to complete its 5-year term in the Maharashtra government, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday said that the attempts to break the alliance will go in vain.

    This comes amid growing discontent in Maha Vikas Aghadi, especially Congress which indicated that it may opt for fighting the elections separately.

    “The parties in MVA – Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP – support the Chief Minister. They are standing together and will remain together. We are committed to run the government for five years,” Raut said.

    Hitting out at the opposition, the Shiv Sena leader said, “Outsiders who want to form government in the state and are restless after losing power may try but the alliance will continue. People may try to break Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP but they would not succeed,” he said.

    Earlier in the day, Mumbai Congress chief Bhai Jagtap confirmed that the party will contest the BMC elections alone and not with the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.

    Congress Maharashtra unit chief Nana Patole had on Sunday said that the three-party MVA alliance, comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress, was formed in Maharashtra for five years and it is not a permanent fixture.

    Patole on June 14, too, indicated that the party will contest the next Assembly polls alone and not as partners of Maha Vikas Aghadi Alliance.

    Reacting to the indication, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, on Saturday, said that people would “beat with chappals” those who only talk about contesting polls alone without offering solutions to people’s problems.

    The Congress is a constituent of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra which also comprises Shiv Sena and NCP. The Maharashtra government is headed by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

    When asked regarding the letter of the Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik to the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray where Sarnaik had urged Thackeray to come to terms with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the former alliance partner BJP, Raut said, “This is his opinion but the role of the party is decided by the party chief Uddhav Thackeray after discussing with all.”

    Taking a jibe on the opposition, Raut said that on the occasion of International Yoga Day, the opposition leaders should perform Shavasana. (ANI)

  • Shiv Sena Bhavan symbol of Maharashtra’s identity, nobody should dare to cast evil eye on it: MP Raut

    Whenever people try to attack the Sena Bhavan, which is a symbol of our pride, whether we are in power or not, we will respond in the same manner, Raut said.

  • Shiv Sena was treated as slaves in erstwhile BJP govt in Maharashtra, says MP Sanjay Raut

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena was virtually treated as “slaves” and attempts were made to finish off the party politically when it was in power with the BJP in Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019, Sena MP Sanjay Raut has alleged.

    Addressing Sena workers in Jalgaon in north Maharashtra on Saturday, Raut said, “The Shiv Sena had a secondary status in the previous government and was (treated) like slaves. Attempts were also made to finish off our party by misusing the very power which was enjoyed because of our support”.

    Raut’s remarks came days after Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi separately, setting off political speculations in the state.

    The Shiv Sena-BJP alliance crumbled in 2019 over the issue of chief ministership.

    ALSO READ | After Modi-Thackeray meet, Raut praises PM

    The Sena, which was one of the oldest allies of the BJP, later formed an unlikely alliance with the NCP and Congress to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra.

    Raut said he always thought that the Sena should have its chief minister in Maharashtra.

    “Even if Shiv Sainiks don’t get anything, we can proudly say the state’s leadership is now in the hands of the Shiv Sena. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government was formed with this sentiment (in November 2019),” he said.

    ALSO READ | Wider alliance of anti-BJP parties necessary: NCP leader after Sharad Pawar-Prashant Kishor meet

    Recalling the drama preceding the formation of the tripartite government in November 2019 after the Assembly elections, Raut said senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who briefly switched sides to form a government with the BJP under Devendra Fadnavis, is now the “strongest spokesman “of the MVA.

    The second Fadnavis-led government which was formed with Ajit Pawar had lasted for just 80 hours.

    “Anything can happen in politics. Ajit Pawar, the deputy CM of Maharashtra, is now working shoulder to shoulder with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray,” Raut said.

  • After Modi-Thackeray meet, Raut praises PM

    Express News Service
    MUMBAI:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s in Delhi two days ago set the political circle abuzz of two old allies patching up after falling out in November, 2019.

    Two days after the meeting, fierce critic of BJP and Modi, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut had a word of praise for the prime minister. Raut is close to Thackeray . “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the top leader of the country and his party. BJP has been in power for the last seven years because of Narendra Modi,” Raut said on Thursday. He was quick to add, though, that not much should be read much in the meeting of Modi and Thackeray.

    He said Thackeray was in Delhi with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Congress minister Ashok Chavan to resolve Maratha reservation and other issues. “We are politically not together with BJP but the personal equation between two leaders is intact. Politics and personal relations are different things,” he said. Shiv Sena ended its 30-year alliance with BJP in 2019 following disputes over sharing important positions in the ministry and equal numbers of ministers.

    Sena claimed that BJP agreed to a 50:50 formula and later refused to honour that. Breaking away from the NDA, Thackeray criticised Devendra Fadnavis and Amit Shah for not keeping their word. But he did not say anything against Modi. With speculations of two old allies coming together doing the rounds, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on his party’s 22-year anniversary reminded Thackeray that his late father Balasaheb Thackeray had supported Indira Gandhi against Janta Party to keep his promise.

    Pawar said NCP and Shiv Sena will not only survive five years in government, but they will also contest Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections together. “There are a lot of speculations and rumours about the Thackeray government lasting five years. However, we are not only confident about the survival of Maha Vikas Aghadi under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray, but the NCP and Shiv Sena will also contest Lok Sabha and state elections together. This government is doing great work for the people,” he said.

    Pawar said there is no need to pay attention to speculations after a separate one-on-one meeting between Modi and Thackeray. “I have been observing Sena for the last several years. Once Balasaheb had given his word to Indira Gandhi on not contesting elections and extending support to Congress. Babasaheb Thackeray did not change his word despite a lot of pressure and political stakes. Shiv Sena means trust,” said Pawar.

    No threat to MVA, assures PawarSharad Pawar said there is nothing to worry about the government in Maharashtra. “People are happy with Maha Vikas Aghadi and its performance. No one talks about breaking the alliance,” said the NCP chief.

  • ‘Nothing new to offer’: Sanjay Raut on Modi government completing seven years in power

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Central government completed seven years in office on Sunday, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that the current Central government has nothing new to offer to the people of the country.

    MP Raut said, “As compared to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s regime, the current Central government has nothing new to offer to the people of the country. The infrastruture, institutions developed in the period of Nehru is still existing and thiriving.”

    “I know that there are no corruption charges on the present government,The expectations of people from the government are based on basic necessities ‘roti, kapda, makan’, no one wants to become Tata, Birla and Adani”, the Shiv Sena leader said.

    “I agree that the Centre claims to be not tainted by any corruption charges, but they should not shy away from addressing the issues raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi”, he said.

    Supporting West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for opposing the presence of Opposition party in the review meeting of Cyclone Yaas chaired by PM Narendra Modi, Raut said, “The differences between Centre and Mamata di’s opinions are not new. However, this time, I agree with her. She raised the point that as to why an opposition leader was called up in the meeting when no opposition leader was present in any other state’s Cyclone-related review meeting.”

    On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting at Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal to take stock of the post cyclonic situation. Mamata Banerjee was supposed to attend the meeting. However, she arrived late by 30 minutes and handed him over reports of damage caused by the impact of Cyclone Yaas. Following this, she left for her pre-scheduled meeting at Digha.

    The Shiv Sena leader also spoke upon the recent bribery case of the Maharashtra Transport Minister, Anil Parab. He said, “The opposition parties are continuously engaged in putting false allegations and demanding resignation on the same. As of now, I think that Anil Parab will be in a better position to comment on the matter.”

    Meanwhile, Maharashtra Police has set up a three-member panel to inquire into the allegations of corruption and bribery against state transport minister Anil Parab, transport commissioner Avinash Dhakne and five other senior department officials.

  • Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut attacks Maharashtra governor over delay in MLC appointments 

    Express News Service
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday claimed Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has lowered the dignity of the Governor’s office by sitting on the recommendations for the appointment of 12 members of the legislative council for six months.In an editorial on Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana, Sena MP Raut criticised Koshyari for his alleged objectionable conduct.

    The article expressed astonishment over reports that after an RTI activist sought information on the appointment of 12 MLCs from Raj Bhavan, it was informed that there is no such list in the  governor’s office. “It is quite surprising the Maharashtra cabinet approved the 12 names of MLCs, the list was submitted to the governor, and it was also reminded a couple of times about the list. Despite this, the governor’s office says they do not know about the l2 names list recommended by the cabinet for MLCs appointment.

    It is surprising and raises many questions about the functioning of the governor’s office,” Samana said. “If the list is not with the governor’s office, then the ghost has taken it. If it is so, then actions should be taken under superstition law that Maharashtra has approved long back,” wrote Raut, adding that the governor should also carry out the Shanti Yadnya to vanquish the bad and superstitious spirit.

    The editorial argued that if the governor had appointed these 12 MLCs, then the elected representatives would have been able to work more efficiently during the pandemic. “The Bombay High Court had asked the Governor to submit an affidavit over delay in the appointment of 12 names as MLCs. We hope that after the court directions, the governor will work now rather stirring the unnecessary controversy for wrong reasons,” Raut wrote.

  • Shiv Sena targets Maharashtra Governor over delay in nominations to Legislative Council

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena on Monday expressed hope that Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari would take serious cognisance of the Bombay High Court’s observations on the delay in the nomination of 12 members to the Legislative Council under the governor’s quota.

    Sena MP Sanjay Raut wondered what research was being done on the file that was sent by the state government to the governor in November last year recommending 12 names for nomination.

    “Is anybody doing a PhD on it?” he asked while talking to reporters here.

    The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Maharashtra government to file a reply explaining why the governor was taking such a long time to decide on the nomination of members to the Legislative Council, despite the 12 names having been submitted on November 6 last year.

    An editorial in the Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ on Monday said six months have passed since the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state cleared the 12 names.

    “It is better if the governor takes the court’s observations seriously. Nobody should test Maharashtra’s patience. The state has the culture of respecting its elders. If you are progressive and have patience, doesn’t mean you are a coward,” it said.

    The editorial said the governor has a lot of work to do, if he wishes so.

    There is a shortage of vaccines against COVID-19 which he can follow up, it said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced Rs 1,000 crore as relief for Gujarat following cyclone Tauktae.

    The governor can ask “why injustice to Maharashtra”, the Marathi daily said.

    The governor can seek Rs 1,500 crore (as cyclone relief) and win the hearts of Marathi people, it said.

    The editorial alleged that there was “politics” behind the delay in nomination of the 12 members to the Legislative Council.

    The delay in making the appointments “at the behest of higher-ups is an insult of the state, the Legislature and violation of the Constitution”, it claimed.

    The editorial said the opposition is living in “false confidence” that it can topple in MVA government (comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress) in the state, it said.

    “This confidence is not oxygen but carbon dioxide. You will get suffocated yourself in this process,” it said.

    Vacancies in the Legislative Council have been kept pending to accommodate those who help the opposition to topple the MVA government, it further claimed, adding that there was no possibility for this “jugaad scheme” to become a reality.

    Meanwhile, reacting to BJP leader Ashish Shelar’s comments that there was no time frame for the governor to nominate members of the Upper House, Raut said, “This doesn’t mean you can keep the appointments pending forever.”

    “Such illegal conduct is against the Constitution and does not suit a person holding high office,” Raut said.

    He also said there were reports that the Raj Bhavan had replied to an RTI query that it did not have the file containing names of the 12 persons recommended by the MVA government.

    “If this is true, it is a very serious matter,” the Rajya Sabha member said.

    To a question of yoga guru Ramdev’s comments on allopathy, Raut said, “Had any opposition leader made such remarks, the BJP would have protested on streets.