Cracks have surfaced in the Maha Vikas Aghadi after Congress MP Mr Rahul Gandhi’s comment on Hindu ideologue VD Savarkar that he wrote mercy petitions as he was afraid of the British. Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MP Mr Sanjay Raut expressed displeasure over Mr Gandhi’s comment saying that ‘’Maha Vikas Aghadi may split due to this statement.’’
What did Rahul Gandhi say?
Mr Raut censured Mr Gandhi and called his remarks as “unwarranted” and “embarrassing” that could have a possible impact on the MVA.
Mr Raut categorically stated that the Shiv Sena (UBT) would never tolerate any defamatory remarks against VD Savarkar while stating there had been no reason for Mr Gandhi to speak against Savarkar when his ‘Bharat Jodo’ yatra was doing so well.
What is Shiv Sena's reaction? Will it break MVA?
‘’It has come as a jolt not just to us but the Congress leaders in Maharashtra have received a setback. His remarks have proved embarrassing for them as well,” said Mr Raut. ‘’Maharashtra, along with a large section of the populace in India had great respect for VD Savarkar,’’ he noted and advised Mr Gandhi to stop “chewing on the past” and focus on creating a new history for the future instead.
However, after an angry reaction from Shiv Sena UBT, the Congress leader Mr Jairam Ramesh stepped into to avoid differences to widen further. He revealed that he had a long talk with the Sena MP and that Mr Raut had refuted suggestions that his remarks (on Mr Gandhi) would weaken the MVA.
“These [Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi] are historical personalities and there are differences in perspective and opinions in matters of history. I had a long talk with my friend Mr Raut, who has a completely different view on Veer Savarkar. We agreed to disagree. But Mr Raut has refuted the impression that the issue will weaken the MVA. It has nothing to do with MVA,” said Mr Ramesh.
Mr Ramesh said that the Sena and the Congress have long held different perspectives on the Savarkar issue. He took a dig at the BJP saying that “The Congress, unlike the BJP, does not believe in distorting, rewriting or reinventing history.”
The NCP leader and former minister Mr Chhagan Bhujbal expressed displeasure over Mr Gandhi’s anti-Savarkar comment saying that he should not have made it.
Already Shiv Sena UBT chief Mr Uddhav Thackeray had expressed his disagreement with Mr Gandhi’s comment. ‘’We don't agree with what Rahul Gandhi has said. We respect Veer Savarkar. But, at the same time, when you are questioning us, the BJP should also have to say why they were in power with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir," said Mr Thackeray.
Deputy Chief Minister Mr Devendra Fadnavis has reacted to this statement of Mr Sanjay Raut. ‘’They just talk, all the time. Rahul Gandhi always comes and talks about Savarkar. Shiv Sena leaders say a few words when he (Rahul) leaves, but they are with him for power. They can never relinquish power on the issue of Savarkar,’’ he claimed.
No mention of Savarkar at Shegaon
Due to the strong objection raised by Shiv Sena UBT, Mr Gandhi did not rake up the Savarkar issue in his speech at the rally at Shegaon in Buldhana district held on Friday evening. Insiders from Shiv Sena UBT and Congress claimed the differences on Savarkar and other related issues will remain between the two parties. However, they have hinted that the common thread between Congress and Shiv Sena UBT for an alliance is opposition to BJP.
Meanwhile, BJP and MNS held protests against Mr Gandhi.
