New Delhi: Taking a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) post their splendid win in Uttar Pradesh, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati and All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi should be given “Bharat Ratna” for contributing to the saffron party’s victory.
Raut voiced his support for the Samajwadi Party stating the seats of Akhilesh Yadav-led party have increased three times.
“The BJP achieved a great victory. UP was their state. Still, Akhilesh Yadav's seats have increased three times from 42 to over 125,” said Raut, ANI reported.
“Mayawati and Owaisi have contributed to the BJP's win, so they must be given ‘Padma Vibhushan’, ‘Bharat Ratna’,” he added.
Continuing his outburst against the BJP, the Shiv Sena leader said the saffron party has been “rejected completely” in Punjab.
“The BJP has won in 4 states, we don't have anything to be upset about, we are a part of your happiness. Why did Uttarakhand CM lose? 2 Deputy CMs lost in Goa,” said Raut.
“Most concerning issue is Punjab. A nationalist party like the BJP has been rejected completely in Punjab,” he added.
Raut’s remarks come as the BJP has been given a historic second successive term in office in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP has secured majority by winning 255 seats in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly.
Its alliance partners Apna Dal (Soneylal) has won 12 seats, while Nishad has secured six seats.
The Samajwadi Party has won in 111 seats, while its alliance partners the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) has won eight seats while Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party bagged six seats.
The Jansatta Dal Loktantrik has secured two seats. The Congress has won two seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won just one seat.
The BJP, however, faced disappointment in Punjab where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) bagged 92 seats in the 117-member assembly.