Mumbai: After creating hue and cry over the book written by New Delhi BJP leader Jai Bhagwan Goel comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena leaders on Wednesday found themselves in a tight corner, as similar writing by Shiv Sena MP and Saamana editor Sanjay Raut has surfaced in social media. The otherwise vocal Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders who had vociferously demanding apology from BJP and ban on the book have suddenly gone silent and are struggling to defend Raut.
After overwhelmingly supporting Raut for his criticism on Goel’s book comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the very same allies seem to have now deserted Raut. Not only the allies, but his own partymen too, have washed their hands off Raut as no one is willing to react for now.
A pose of Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena leaders had come out aggressively when ‘Aaj ke Shivaji – Narendra Modi’ (‘Today’s Shivaji – Narendra Modi) written by Jai Bhagwan Goel, was published by the Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The title of the book had irked the people of Maharashtra as it was comparison of Modi with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It soon became political issue and rightly so, Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena pounced on it. The trio launched a scathing attack on BJP and Goel demanding unconditional withdrawal of the book.
Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe even claimed it was an effort to establish Modi as parallel to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the history. “The book was an attempt to create documentation to establish PM Modi at par with the Chhatrapati Shivjai Maharaj. We cannot accept this,” Londhe had said.
When asked about his opinion on the writings of Sanjay Raut, Londhe said, “He has not compared late Balasaheb Thackeray with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. There is vast difference in what Goel wrote and Raut wrote.”
Shiv Sena spokesperson could not be reached for their version despite repeated efforts. Sanjay Raut also did not respond to the text message seeking clarification.
