We don’t pay attention to what Raut says: Patole

The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Nana Patole on Monday took a swipe at Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut over his statement on the opposition front at the national level and Congress party’s drubbing in West Bengal election. Patole said the party does not take Raut seriously nor do they read Saamna which is Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece in which Raut is executive editor.

‘’We don’t pay attention to what Sanjay Raut says. Nor do we read Saamna. It is a fact that Sanjay Raut is always criticising others. However, he must realise that criticising others does not make his party grow,’’ said Patole.

Raut on Sunday said such a strong front comprising opposition parties is a need of the hour but clarified that it cannot be formed without the Congress as it is the soul.

"There is a need for an opposition front at the national level. Whether such a front on the lines of Maha Vikas Aghadi running the government in Maharashtra can be formed at the all-India level? I have discussed the issue at length with the NCP president Sharad Pawar who is recovering from three surgeries. However, there will be some movement on this front,’’ said Raut.

Patole earlier had snubbed Raut for making a pitch for Sharad Pawar to be the UPA chairperson. Incidentally, Congress is sharing power with Shiv Sena and NCP in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government but has been quite vocal against lack of due share in the government functioning.