Maha-K'taka border dispute raked up to divert attention from guv's insult to Shivaji: Sanjay Raut
Mumbai, Nov 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday claimed that the issue of Karnataka-Maharashtra border dispute has been raked up to divert people's attention from Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari's "insult" to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Last week, Koshyari had said during an event in Aurangabad that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was an icon of "olden days". His statement had drawn flak from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction.
Talking to reporters here, Raut said that earlier Koshyari had insulted Marathi-speaking people with his comment that Mumbai will not remain the country's financial capital if Gujaratis and Marwaris left the city.
''At that time, to divert attention from this insult, I was arrested," said Raut, who was booked in a money laundering case related to the Patra Chawl redevelopment project.
The Sena leader was granted bail earlier this month after spending 100 days in jail.
Similarly, now the issue of Karnataka staking claim over Jat taluka in Sangli is being used to divert people's attention, he said.
''This script is ready for them. However, people will not forget the insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj no matter how much you try,'' Raut said.
The political situation in Maharashtra has heated up after Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday claimed that some village panchayats in Jat taluka of Sangli district had passed a resolution in the past seeking to merge with Karnataka when they were facing a severe water crisis.
Earlier in the day, Raut met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar at the latter's residence.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Modi's allegation of insult to Uttar Pradesh, a "cheap tactic" says DMK chief Stalin
Chennai (PTI): DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of picking up a "cheap strategy" of stoking confrontation between states as his "propaganda of communal hatred" did not help.
Stalin slammed what he called Modi's "imaginary tales and bags of lies" by alleging that leaders of southern states including Tamil Nadu (INDIA bloc constituents) were speaking in a derogatory manner, against the people of Uttar Pradesh.
Days ago, PM Modi had alleged in a poll rally that Samajwadi Party and the Congress's southern allies insulted Uttar Pradesh and Sanatana Dharma but the two parties remained quiet.
The DMK president alleged that it was the BJP that supported and encouraged fake news items, such as the false claims made by "YouTubers like Manish Kashyap" of assault on guest workers in Tamil Nadu. Such fake claims were hate propaganda aimed at creating divisions in society.
Kashyap was arrested last year by Tamil Nadu police for alleged circulation of fake videos on "attacks" in Tamil Nadu on migrant workers hailing from Bihar. Kashyap, who had been in jail in connection with that case, joined the BJP last month.
Stalin lashed out at Modi saying he did not speak on removing the 50 per cent cap on reservation for Backward classes and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes people, a move that will be very beneficial for the people of Uttar Pradesh. However, Modi was keen on propaganda of hatred alone, the DMK top leader alleged.
"The BJP's divisive dreams will never come true ! false narrative and hatred will be shattered, India will win," Stalin said in a statement.
The Chief Minister said Modi was frustrated as hate propaganda has become useless and he does not have any achievements to tell the people from his ten-year tenure.
Hence, PM Modi has gone to the extent of "besmirching" welfare schemes implemented in opposition-ruled states and he has demonstrated that "he is always against the poor people."
Stalin said the DMK government's fare-free town bus services scheme for women has benefited them in several ways, ensuring "travel freedom," and claimed that Modi has "started a rumour" that passenger traffic has witnessed a decline in Metrorail services.
The Dravidian party chief, citing statistics said the patronage for Chennai MetroRail (CMRL) has increased significantly and accused Modi of scuttling the CMRL phase-II expansion in the Tamil Nadu capital city by not "releasing funds" to the state as agreed by the Centre.
PM Modi has reportedly spoken in an interview on bus and the Metro rail services and whether or not he made a specific reference to Tamil Nadu is not known.
Stalin said the INDIA bloc was "racing towards victory" and accused Modi of making "propaganda of lies and hatred," and people were witnessing "Election Commission's silence" with shock and grief.
