'Sanjay Raut Is Speaking Like Muslim League,' Says BJP's Shahnawaz Hussain; Nirupam Calls Shiv Sena Regionalist

Shiv Sena is facing attacks from both BJP and Congress over latest remarks of MP Sanjay Raut where he alleged that centre's destabilisation of state governments may lead to India's break up like that of Soviet Union.

(File Photo/Getty)

New Delhi: Both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have cornered Shiv Sena over the fresh remarks by MP Sanjay Raut where he expressed the possibility of Indian states undergoing a break up like the Soviet Union if centre continues to "destabalise" state governments.  Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has caused a new stir with his remarks made in the editorial piece he wrote for 'Saamana'. He alleged that the centre was destabilising state governments and if this goes on, India may undergo a disintegration of states as seen previously in the Soviet Union. Speaking to ABP News about this matter, BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said that Sanjay Raut is speaking like "Muslim League". He wondered if Shiv Sena is walking towards the path of the Muslim League and is under the influence of "Tukde Tukde" gang. He also attacked the Congress as he speculated if it was an outcome of their influence as well, saying that Congress itself has allies thinking on such terms and Shiv Sena has also been taken in. He concluded his criticism by stating that this thinking will not be lead on or encouraged in the country as the nation is united. On the other hand, even Congress has disassociated itself from Sanjay Raut's statement. Former President of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee Sanjay Nirupam also cornered the Shiv Sena by saying that it has exposed the "real face" of the party. "While the party talks about national issues, it is regionalist in its mindset," he said. "Such words are anti-India and flout the common minimum program which was reached to form the government in Maharashtra. The Congress does not tolerate such talk," he added. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena seems to be going easy on the matter as when state minister Navab Malik was questioned about the same, he termed the remarks as being a "personal opinion". He also supported Raut's accusation of centre destablising state governments by stating an example of what was going on in West Bengal. "He (Raut) was warning about the interference in the federal structure. The operational framework of Modi Ji and BJP is dangerous for federalism," he alleged. "BJP's reaction is baseless and people will not believe what it is trying to portray (in this matter)," he added.