Setting the cat among the pigeons, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was shaping up as a leader and had outgrown his image as a “Pappu.” Raut, who is executive editor of the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna, and is known for his outspoken statements against ally BJP, said Gandhi could be an effective counter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Setting the cat among the pigeons, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was shaping up as a leader and had outgrown his image as a “Pappu.” Raut, who is executive editor of the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna, and is known for his outspoken statements against ally BJP, said Gandhi could be an effective counter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We should not consider Rahul Gandhi to be a Pappu anymore. People are eager to see what Rahul Gandhi says in his speeches. This is part of a process wherein his leadership is being shaped up. People are flocking to listen to his speeches in Gujarat and these rallies are being broadcast by the electronic media. His tweets and comments are also being taken note of,” said Raut. He had also spoken on this issue in a conclave organized by a television channel on Thursday.
“In this country, anyone can be a counter to anyone. This will be decided by the people of this country. If they decide they do not want Modi, they can accept anyone else,” added Raut.
Raut indicated that the Shiv Sena may not field any candidates in the state assembly polls in Gujarat, which were announced on Wednesday.
“We have no personal animosity with the BJP. There may be a stream of thought in the party which says that there should be no ill-omen for the Prime Minister in his own state,” he said, adding that however, the final decision would be taken by party president Uddhav Thackeray.
The Shiv Sena will not be a part of “under-the-belt politics” by participating in any rainbow coalition launched by the opposition to take on Modi in his home state of Gujarat.
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