BJP Lodges Complaint Against Shiv Sena Leader for Derogatory Remarks Targeting PM Modi

The Mumbai unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken a firm stance against derogatory remarks made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, the BJP has lodged a formal complaint, expressing strong disapproval of Raut's inflammatory rhetoric and urging appropriate action.

State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule condemned Raut's comments, emphasizing Prime Minister Modi's esteemed position among the Indian populace. He described Raut's language as unacceptable for a public figure and underscored the need for accountability. Bawankule also made predictions regarding the potential electoral repercussions of Raut's statements, foreseeing a significant setback for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) in the forthcoming 2024 polls.

Vivekananda Gupta, the BJP's Mumbai secretary, confirmed the formal registration of the complaint with the Chief Election Commissioner. Gupta highlighted Raut's comparison of Prime Minister Modi to Aurangzeb as a violation of the electoral code of conduct, stressing the gravity of the situation. Raut's remarks, delivered during a public rally in Sangli/Buldhana, sought to draw historical parallels between the birthplaces of Shivaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb, and Prime Minister Modi. His suggestion that Modi resembled Aurangzeb and his call to refer to Modi as such were seen as provocative and divisive.

The BJP underscored the personal and defamatory nature of Raut's attack on Prime Minister Modi, arguing that such statements not only violated the model code of conduct but also had the potential to exacerbate societal tensions and foster animosity among different groups. In lodging this formal complaint, the BJP reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the standards of public discourse and ensuring accountability among political leaders. The party's decisive action serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible communication in maintaining social harmony and political integrity.