Shiv Sena MP Raut Challenges BJP's Mumbai Mayor Candidate Over Bangladesh Remarks
In a sharp political confrontation, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday challenged Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) mayoral candidate Ritu Tawde to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the allocation of substantial funds to Bangladesh in the Union Budget. This came in response to reports that Tawde, after filing her nomination for the Mumbai mayoral election, stated that Bangladeshis should be expelled from the city.
Raut's Fiery Critique on Social Media and to Reporters
Taking to social media platform X, Raut launched a scathing attack, questioning the rationale behind the budget allocations. "Before making such hollow announcements, she should go straight to Delhi and ask PM Modi one simple question: Why did the Union Budget allocate hundreds of crores of Indian taxpayers' money to Bangladesh?" he posted. He further elaborated to reporters, raising pointed concerns: "Is this money meant to fund the ongoing attacks on Hindu temples in Bangladesh? Is it meant to support the brutal killing and persecution of Hindus there?"
Political Strategy and Accusations of Opportunism
Raut also addressed the broader political context, asserting that the BJP's selection of a Marathi candidate for the mayor's post was a direct result of pressure from the Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) campaign emphasizing Marathi pride ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. "Voters supported our campaign for the Marathi manoos and Marathi pride. Under that pressure, they had to elect a Marathi mayor," he stated, implying that the move was reactive rather than principled.
In a personal jab, Raut labeled Tawde as an "import from Congress," suggesting she lacks original political roots within the BJP. He criticized the party for having "nothing original to offer," framing the candidate choice as a strategic maneuver rather than a genuine commitment to local issues.
Background and Implications
The controversy highlights the intense political rivalry in Mumbai, with immigration and national identity emerging as key electoral issues. Raut's challenge not only targets Tawde's remarks but also seeks to corner the BJP on its foreign policy and budgetary decisions, potentially swaying public opinion in the lead-up to the BMC elections. The exchange underscores the ongoing tensions between regional and national parties in Maharashtra's political landscape.
