Sanjay Raut To Try And Convince Rahul Gandhi To Keep Veer Savarkar Out Of His Speeches, Press Meets

Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has said he plans to meet with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.

The purpose? To urge the Congress leader to refrain from mentioning Veer Savarkar in speeches and press conferences, as it was a matter of faith for Uddhav Thackeray's party.

This comes a day after Uddhav Thackeray himself warned Gandhi against insulting Savarkar.

Raut intends to explain to Gandhi Savarkar's sacrifices, including his 14 years in Andaman and Nicobar jail, where he suffered brutal punishment.

"I am sure the Congress leader will give me a patient hearing and will try to understand the life and times of Savarkar without insulting him,” Raut said.

The Sena (UBT) leader stated his objection to the word 'mafiveer' used for Savarkar, claiming that Rahul Gandhi is damaging his own image by belittling Savarkar's sacrifice.

Instead, he should talk about "important national issues."

"There are several important national issues on which he is raising his voice without any fear… He should keep doing that. The country needs a leader like him,” Raut said about Gandhi.

An editorial in Sena's newspaper, Saamana, said Gandhi’s comments on Savarkar will affect the Congress the most in Maharashtra.

“In every village of Maharashtra, you will find Savarkar in many forms. This will certainly put the Congress rank and file in a difficult situation in the state," said the editorial.