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Tag: Sanjay Raut

  • Congress to be soul of national Opposition parties’ alliance; talks to begin soon: Sanjay Raut

    By Express News Service
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said that talks to form a grand alliance of Opposition parties at the national level will begin in the coming days.

    Raut said he has discussed the issue with Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar.

    “There is a need to have a strong alliance of opposition parties in the country. But there can’t be an alliance without the Congress party. It will be the soul. Leadership can be decided through consultations,” Raut told reporters. 

    “The Maha Vikas aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra was formed after three ideologically different parties (Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress) came together and the leadership was unanimously given to Uddhav Thackeray. This is an ideal alliance, which is working fine,” he said.

    The Congress has done well in Assam, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the recent Assembly elections. But it did not win a single seat in West Bengal and this is not good.

    The party needs to be strengthened further, he said.

    The Congress is a pan-India party, whether in government or in opposition, he said. “I discussed these issues with NCP president Sharad Pawar, but since he is indisposed, he is in Mumbai.

    Talks of forming an alliance of opposition parties will start in a few days,” the Sena’s Rajya Sabha member said.

    Replying to questions on Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis criticising the Maharashtra government on its handling of Covid -19 pandemic, Raut said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to Fadnavis’s allegations by saying that the state was doing well.

    “Even the Supreme Court has taken note of the state government’s work. Maharashtra is fighting against the virus with all its might and CM Uddhav Thackeray and all his cabinet colleagues need to be complimented,” Raut said.

  • Sanjay Raut demands special Parliament session to discuss grim COVID-19 situation across country

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: In order to discuss the grim COVID-19 situation across the country, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded a special session of Parliament.

    He said that there should be an open discussion on the situation of all states.

    “I’ve demanded a special session of Parliament because I’ve been speaking to political leaders of the country. They say the situation is grim in their states too. So, if the government calls a special session, there’ll be an open discussion on the situation of all states,” said Shiv Sena MP.

    Earlier in the day, he has said that it is an unprecedented and almost a war-like situation in the country.

    “It’s an unprecedented and almost a war-like situation. Utmost confusion and tension everywhere! No beds, no oxygen and no vaccination as well! It’s nothing but TOTAL CHAOS! A Special session of the Parliament for atleast 2 days should be called to discuss the situation!” he tweeted.

    On April 18, as many as 68,631 fresh COVID-19 cases and 503 deaths were reported from Maharashtra in the last 24 hours the highest in the state so far since the pandemic broke out last year.

    At present, Maharashtra is struggling with a shortage of medical oxygen and Remdesivir.

    To prevent the COVID-19 surge in the state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday imposed Section 144 starting from April 14. 

  • Bengal elections: EC imposed campaign ban on Mamata at BJP’s behest, says Sanjay Raut

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday alleged that the Election Commission’s decision to bar West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours was taken at the behest of the BJP.

    This was a “direct attack on democracy” and sovereignty of independent institutions of the country, Raut claimed, and asked why only Banerjee was punished when other parties also violated some or the other rules during the ongoing West Bengal election.

    Terming Banerjee as the “Bengal Tigress”, the Sena’s chief spokesperson expressed solidarity with her and claimed she will win the election in her state.

    The Shiv Sena, which is not contesting the West Bengal polls, has extended its support to Banerjee, who heads the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

    The Election Commission (EC) on Monday barred Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours over her remarks against central forces and a statement which had alleged religious overtones.

    Reacting to it, Raut in a tweet said, “ECI has imposed a ban on Mamta didi for 24 hours.

    This is clearly done at the behest of BJP, ruling party in India.”

    “It is a direct attack on democracy and sovereignty of independent institutions of India. solidarity with Bengal Tigress, @MamataOfficial @derekobrienmp,” the Rajya Sabha member added.

    Banerjee sat on a dharna in Kolkata on Tuesday to protest against the poll panel’s “unconstitutional decision”.

    “Why Mamata didi is being punished alone by the EC when every political party is violating some or the other rules of the model code of conduct?” Raut later asked while talking to reporters.

    Leaders of a party from other states are going to West Bengal and making controversial statements, but there is no action against them, he said, without naming anyone.

    The ongoing West Bengal election is like a “new Mahabharat”, the Shiv Sena leader said.

    “Like the previous one (Mahabharat), nobody is following the code of warfare in this new Mahabharat as well. I believe Banerjee will win this election,” Raut said.

  • EC’s decision to ban Mamata from campaigning taken at behest of BJP: Raut

    The Sena #39;s chief spokesperson expressed solidarity with Banerjee, while terming as the #39;Bengal Tigress #39;.

  • Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut blames Modi’s leadership for rising COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, Punjab

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Monday blamed the Centre for the rise in coronavirus positive cases in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab.

    Speaking to reporters, Raut said Maharashtra had followed every instruction issued by the Centre, and the latter must act sensitively and cautiously and stop blaming states.

    Ten states- Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan- have shown a steep rise in daily COVID-19 cases, accounting for 83.02 per cent of the new infections, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

    “If Maharashtra and the other two states (Punjab and Chhattisgarh) has failed, the first failure is that of the Centre since the country is fighting the war against the virus under prime minister Narendra Modi’s leadership,” he said, questioning why only non-BJP ruled states were being singled out as failures.

    ALSO READ | Lockdown leads to loss of jobs, Maharashtra govt not providing people support: Devendra Fadnavis

    “Has the coronavirus disappeared in states which have a BJP chief minister? The Centre should provide vaccines and Remdesivir to Maharashtra. Everyone has seen how Remdesivir is available in BJP offices in Gujarat but it is not (made) available to Maharashtra,” Raut claimed.

    He said Maharashtra BJP leaders must condemn these attempts to “malign the image of the state”, or else they have “no business to do politics in the state”.

  • ‘Dirty politics on to destabilise Maharashtra government’: Raut reacts on Sachin Waze’s letter

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday claimed “dirty politics” was being played out to destabilise the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra and asserted that such attempts will not succeed.

    Raut’s remarks came a day after suspended cop Sachin Waze in a letter claimed former state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had demanded Rs 2 crore from him to continue his service in the Mumbai police and another minister Anil Parab asked him to collect money from contractors.

    Waze was arrested last month by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the case of an explosives-laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence in south Mumbai and the death of businessman Mansukh Hiran.

    Parab, a Shiv Sena leader, rejected Waze’s claims on Wednesday and said he was ready to face any probe into the allegations.

    He swore in the name of Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray and asserted that he has not done anything wrong.

    Talking to reporters here on Thursday, Raut said there is a new trend of getting letters written from the accused locked up in jail.

    “Never before has the country seen dirty politics being played out in such a manner, like indulging in character assassination using investigation agencies and IT cells of political parties, and letters from accused locked up in jail,” the Rajya Sabha member said.

    Raut said attempts to weaken and destabilise the MVA government “will not be successful”.

    “I know Anil Parab. He is a staunch Shiv Sainik and will never swear wrongly in the name of Balasaheb Thackeray,” Raut said.

    The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress share power in Maharashtra.

  • BJP first supported Maharashtra government on COVID-19 curbs, now opposing: Sanjay Raut

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday hit out at the opposition BJP for criticising the Maharashtra government after initially supporting it over the restrictions imposed by it to check the spread of COVID-19.

    Talking to reporters, Raut said that the opposition parties in the country should stop indulging in politics during the pandemic.

    “Initially, the opposition BJP supported Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s plea for cooperation while imposing strict curbs, but now it is criticising,” the Sena MP said.

    Every life is important, which is why politicking should be avoided, he added.

    ALSO READ | COVID-19: Many Maharashtra districts face vaccine shortage, inoculation centres being closed

    He said that in Gujarat, where the BJP is in power, the high court has ordered a lockdown, but in Maharashtra, that party is opposing it.

    “No government is happy to take such decisions. Everyone must understand that this is an emergency situation,” he said.

    Alarmed by the huge rise in cases over the last few days, the Maharashtra government on Sunday announced a weekend lockdown and night curfew during the weekdays from Monday to April 30, in addition to a slew of other restrictions like the closure of private offices, theatres and salons.

    Besides, prohibitory orders will be in force during the daytime on weekdays.

    Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis had on Sunday appealed to the people in Maharashtra to follow the restrictions and the weekend lockdown announced by the state government to tackle the spread of COVID-19 cases.

    However, he wrote a letter to the chief minister on Tuesday, in which he said, “When you spoke to me about the need to impose strict restrictions to check the spread of the virus, we agreed since the lockdown was for two days. But lockdown-like restrictions for the remaining five days of the week has led to unrest among people.”

    “Due to the undeclared lockdown, retailers, small businesses and salons will be affected,” he said.

  • ‘Uddhav held discussions with Opposition before imposing lockdown’: Raut hits back at Fadnavis

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Government has held discussions with the Leader of Opposition and other party leaders prior to taking the decision to impose restrictions in the state to curb the spread of COVID-19, said Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

    “Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had held discussions with leaders of all parties including the Leader of Opposition before making the decision. The Maharashtra Government has taken the decision for the people’s good. Otherwise, the situation will be more critical. I feel the Prime Minister is also very concerned regarding the surge of COVID cases,” Raut told mediapersons.

    He has further drawn the example of the Gujarat High Court’s recommendation to impose lockdown.

    “In the neighbouring state of Gujarat, the High Court has directed the state government to implement lockdown. It means the High Court also observed that lockdown is pertinent to tackle the situation,” added Raut.

    Raut’s remarks come against the backdrop of Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, requesting him to reconsider restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

    Fadnavis asked the Chief Minister to discuss these matters with all stratum of society again and impose restrictions so that the lives of commoners are not affected.

    On April 4, the Maharashtra government announced new guidelines under its ‘Break the Chain’ campaign to curb the spread of novel coronavirus infections to remain in force till April 30.

    Maharashtra reported 55,469 new COVID-19 cases and 297 deaths on Tuesday.According to the state health department, 34,256 people have recovered from the disease. The active number of cases in the state stands at 4,72,283. The death toll in the state has gone up to 56,330.

    Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Tuesday informed that of the top 10 districts in the country having the most active COVID-19 cases in the country, seven are from Maharashtra. (ANI)

  • Never said Sharad Pawar should replace Sonia Gandhi as UPA chairperson: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday claimed he never said that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi should be replaced by NCP president Sharad Pawar as the UPA chairperson, and added that he had only underscored the need to strengthen the alliance.

    He said that all the opposition parties need to come together to form a strong alliance at the national level.

    His remarks come in the wake of Maharashtra Congress leaders criticising him for his suggestion that Pawar should take over as United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson.

    “I have never said Sonia Gandhi should be replaced by Sharad Pawar as UPA chairperson. There is a need to strengthen the UPA for the sake of the country. I just said there is a need to strengthen the opposition alliance. I haven’t criticised Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi,” Raut said.

    “I fact, I have stood up for them whenever they were targeted by the political rivals,” he told a television channel, when asked about the Congress leaders’ criticism over his recent remarks.

    On being asked about his “accidental home minister” comment against Anil Deshmukh, Raut said, “Something happening by accident is a phrase. One always sees an opportunity in an accident.”

    To a question on Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s remarks that nobody should play spoilsport in a coalition government, the Rajya Sabha member said, “People have played spoilsport by taking oath early morning.”

    He was referring to Ajit Pawar’s early morning swearing-in with Devendra Fadnavis before the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government after the 2019 Assembly polls.

    Fadnavis and Pawar had taken oath as the chief minister and deputy chief minister respectively.

    However, their government had lasted for only 80 hours.

    Replying to a question whether the Shiv Sena would join the UPA or go back to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Raut said his party does not play politics of convenience.

    “Our alliance with Congress and NCP here was need of the hour since we felt we were cheated by the BJP,” he said.

    Raut hit out at Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari for taking no decision on nominating 12 members from his quota to the state legislative council.

    “The governor doesn’t want the MVA to increase its strength in the Legislative Council. He feels the government will not last. But the MVA is strong and will last its full term,” he said.

  • Poll results in 4 states to decide course of national politics: Sanjay Raut

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said the results of Assembly polls in four states, specially Assam and West Bengal, will decide the next course of national politics.

    Talking to reporters here, Raut said the BJP is in power in Assam, but the Congress has put up a tough fight.

    In West Bengal, even though the BJP has put all its might to defeat (Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress head) Mamata Banerjee, she has fought like a tigress and is “sure to emerge the winner”, he claimed.

    “We can also gauge the mood in Kerala and Tamil Nadu,” the Rajya Sabha member said.

    Banerjee on Wednesday wrote a letter to non-BJP leaders, including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, saying time has come for a “united and effective” struggle against the BJP’s alleged attacks on democracy and the Constitution, and that opposition leaders should try present a “credible alternative” to the people of the country.

    When asked about the letter, Raut said, “The results of polls in four states, specially Assam and West Bengal, will decide the next course of national politics. After the elections, the nature of alliances will be discussed and a clarity will be there.” Even Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has received a letter from her, he said.

    Raut also said the “ongoing Mahabharat” in West Bengal is more fierce than the real Mahabharat.

    “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the battle of Mahabharat was won in 21 days and we will fight the war against coronavirus in 18 days and win.

    But, we haven’t,” the Sena’s chief spokesperson said.

    Raut said the entire country is watching the West Bengal polls and people of that are also intelligent.

    “No doubt the battle is tough, but Mamata Banerjee will win,” he claimed.

    Raut also said the “attack” on democracy in the country is not new.

    “Whenever there is an attack, people and opposition parties have fought back. This is the strength of our democracy,” he said.

    On differences among political parties in Maharashtra over the need for a fresh lockdown in the state, as it has seen a huge surge in coronavirus cases, Raut said there should be no politics over the fight against COVID-19.

    “Whatever steps will be taken, will be in the interest of the state and its people,” he said.