Mumbai: The Shiv Sena, alliance partner of the Congress in Maharashtra, reacted sharply to Rahul Gandhi’s jibe `my name is not Rahul Savarkar’ on Saturday, saying there could not be any “compromise” on the Hindutva ideologue.
“Veer Savarkar is an idol of whole country and not just Maharashtra. The name Savarkar denotes pride about nation and self. Like Nehru and Gandhi, Savarkar too sacrificed his life for the country. Every such idol must be revered. There is no compromise on this,” Sena leader Sanjay Raut tweeted.
Addressing the Congress’ mega “Bharat Bachao Rally” in Delhi earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi rejected the BJP’s demand for apology.
“The BJP asked me to apologise. My name is not Rahul Savarkar, it is Rahul Gandhi, and I will never apologise for speaking the truth,” he said.
The Congress leader was apparently referring to the allegation against Savarkar that he tendered apology to the British for securing early release from the Cellular Jail in Andaman.
The Sena, which formed an unlikely alliance with the Congress and the NCP after it fell out with the BJP, had blasted Rahul Gandhi during the Maharashtra Assembly election campaign for his comments against Savarkar.
Also read: My name isn’t Rahul Savarkar, wont apologise for speaking ‘truth’: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi is after all Rahul Gandhi. Modi had handed over an issue on platter by introducing CAB, now CAC . Yet RG has wasted the opportunity by unnecessarily diverting it by making unrelated comments. Congress cannot improve so long as it is headed by the Gandhi family.
Poor Rahul baba…he is just a lamb, ready to be eaten by the fox (BJP). Please for God’s Sake let this coalition not melt away, or Shri ashok JI will be heartbroken. OMG these BJP haters!!! ??
Sanjay Raut has sold his ideals for the sake of CM’s post to Shiv Sena. He must know that Shiva Sena’s kitty party with secular crooks will not last long.
Social media – including people who are well disposed towards the Congress – is pointing out that this reflects a certain lack of political sagacity. The fact is that ideologically antagonistic parties have come together in a coalition arrangement. The fox is right outside the chicken coop. It helps to respect each other’s sensitivities and red lines. It would look odd if Saamna were to write an edit on Bofors.