Raut defends Uddhav’s ‘chappal’ remark on Yogi
As the BJP is hitting back to the Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray over his remarks against Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that Mr.Thackeray had made the comment against an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
In a viral video clip from 2018, Mr Thackeray said he wanted to beat UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath with chappal. Mr Raut justified the comment saying it was a reaction to Mr Adityanath not removing his shoes while garland. “This is our tradition and culture to garland Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj while wearing Chappal (sleepers) in Maharashtra. We hold high regards for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” Mr Raut said.
Defending Maharashtra parliamentary affairs minister Anil Parab, who purportedly gave instructions to police to arrest the Union Minister, Mr Raut said, “Does the government not have power to instruct the police? Mr.Parab is a part of the government.”
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has continued its tirade against Mr Rane saying that he undermined Maharashtra’s pride and prestige. His days in the union cabinet are numbered, said the Maharashtra’s ruling party.
In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena claimed that Mr Rane has said Maharashtra can’t fight the Centre since there is a BJP government. “Even Maharashtra’s enemies did not undermine the state like Rane did,” it said.
It said action against Rane over his remarks against the CM was taken as per the law.
“Law is the same for everyone - be it a normal or an abnormal person. At least now the BJP should not ask if the rule of law prevails in the state,” said the Sena, which shares power with the NCP and Congress in Maharashtra.
“If Rane thinks he is great because of his induction into the Union cabinet, then Prime Minister Narendra Modi will surely bring him down from the pedestal. Modi considers himself a ‘fakir’, while Rane thinks he is great. Surely, Rane’s days in the Union cabinet are numbered,” the Sena said.
— Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena spokesperson