Congress’s stand on Savarkar not new; MVA alliance based on larger battle to save democracy: Patole

Patole said that considering the political situation in the country, the Congress, the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have come together through a common programme for a larger battle. “Currently, the battle to save the country, democracy and Constitution is important. This battle is big and we are fighting together against the BJP,” he said, adding the Congress party’s stance towards Savarkar has been clear from the beginning.

“The Opposition is trying to split the MVA over the issue, but they will not succeed and we will continue to be united. The BJP and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi government have no answer to the burning questions of the people of the country; that’s why they are running away from responsibility by raising issues like Savarkar,” said Patole. He said that it was India’s first Union Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who had said that Mahatma Gandhi was killed due to the fact that Savarkar “created a toxic atmosphere in the country”.

In a recent press conference in Delhi, Gandhi had said that he won’t be apologising to anyone as his surname was Gandhi and not Savarkar, referring to the mercy petitions filed by the Hindutva idealogue with the British seeking his release from Andaman cellular jail. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, condemned Gandhi saying he insulted a patriot. In his speech in Malegaon on Sunday, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Thackeray too said he won’t tolerate any insult to Savarkar.