Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 14: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has dismissed reports of a possible merger between the two Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions in Maharashtra, describing the speculation as a “fairy tale”. He said the issue would be settled within a day or two and ruled out the possibility of Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule joining the faction associated with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Raut also denied reports of a meeting between NCP leaders Supriya Sule and Praful Patel, questioning how discussions on a merger could have taken place during a parliamentary committee meeting.
“Both sides have different factions. One faction is trying to cling to power, while the other is desperate to get into power. No meeting took place yesterday. Supriya Sule and Praful Patel did not meet either,” he said.
Raut further accused the BJP and the rival NCP faction of deliberately spreading confusion over the merger issue. He said Praful Patel had greater communication with Amit Shah and described the reports as a scripted story.
“This is your Salim-Javed-style story. Praful Patel has more communication with Amit Shah. The BJP and the other side are deliberately spreading confusion,” Raut said.
Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks on phone tapping, Raut alleged that several prominent political leaders and military officers could also be under surveillance. He named the President, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Sunetra Pawar among those whose phones, he claimed, could be tapped.
“Whose phones are not being tapped in this country? The phones of the President, Rajnath Singh, Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Sunetra Pawar and military officers must also be getting tapped,” he said.
Raut also alleged that there was unease within the government and claimed that the ruling establishment was approaching a turning point.
He further predicted major political developments in the country by April or May, claiming that Narendra Modi would no longer be Prime Minister by then. Raut said his assessment was based on his reading of the political situation in Delhi.
Separately, commenting on the muffler banner issue, Raut said its branding was being carried out effectively.