Toolkit used by BJP to target opponents, alleges Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut
Mumbai, May 25: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday alleged that social media or 'toolkits' were used by the BJP to target opponents, adding that when it faced a backlash, it put pressure through various ways.
Raut made the comments while talking to reporters here in connection with a notice sent by the Delhi Police to Twitter India over the probe into a complaint about an alleged 'COVID toolkit'.
The BJP had accused the Congress of creating a 'toolkit' that seeks to tarnish the image of the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the Congress has denied the allegation and claimed the BJP is propagating a fake 'toolkit' to defame it.
Last week, Twitter labelled as "manipulated media" a tweet by BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on the alleged 'toolkit'.
When asked about the issue, Raut said, "Social media or toolkit was used by the BJP previously. However, when it faced a backlash, it is carrying out raids, apprehending some people or pressuring through various ways."
"We are watching it and enjoying it." he added.
A debate is going on in the country and across the world about toolkits and social media, the Rajya Sabha member said without elaborating.
On the reported meet between top leaders of the BJP and the RSS to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the party's image and its fallout on state polls, including of Uttar Pradesh, due next year, Raut said he does not want to comment on the issue.
"I have deep respect for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat. I expect critical remarks from him over the thousands of bodies washed up on the Ganga river banks recently. The issue was as important as the Ram temple, he said.
Asked about claims by some sources that the list of 12 members to be nominated to the Maharashtra Legislative Council was with the state governor's office, Raut said he was happy that "no ghost had stolen the file".
"Was it Bofors, or Rafale, or any corruption charges-related file?" he asked.
Raut said it contained names of 12 candidates to be appointed as MLCs from the governor's quota. The names were unanimously cleared by the state cabinet.
"I will distribute sweets in the Raj Bhavan when the list is signed by the governor," he said.
The ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra has been targeting Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari over the delay in the nomination of 12 members to the Legislative Council under the governor's quota.
The file recommending the 12 names for nomination to the Upper House was sent to the governor in November last year.
On Monday, Raut said there were reports that the Raj Bhavan had replied to an RTI query that it did not have the file containing names of the 12 persons recommended by the state government.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
