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WITH THE Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) staying away from Opposition meetings on Monday, upset over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks against V D Savarkar, fellow ally and NCP chief Sharad Pawar has urged the Congress leadership to tone down its attacks on the Hindutva ideologue.
Sources said Pawar conveyed this to the Congress leadership at a dinner hosted by Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence Monday night. Both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul were present at the meeting, which was given a miss by the Uddhav Sena.
The Congress leadership is said to have explained the party’s ideological position vis-a-vis Savarkar, but agreed to tone down the rhetoric in the interest of Opposition unity, notwithstanding its views on him. Pawar’s argument was that Savarkar was not a member of the RSS and such distractions should not come in the way of the Opposition’s fight, which was against the Narendra Modi government.
Indicating that the issue was resolved, Congress communication department head Jairam Ramesh said on Tuesday that 19 parties were saying in one voice that democracy is in danger and “we have to unitedly face and fight this dictatorial government.” Responding to a question, he said the Uddhav Sena was one of the 19 parties.
“There were 18 parties last night. Today I have said 19. Understand the meaning. The number will go up from 18 to 19 when Shiv Sena is part of the group,” he said at a press conference with AICC general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal.
“There is a little bit of an issue with Shiv Sena. We will sort it out. Don’t worry,” said Venugopal. Asked if the Congress would tone down the rhetoric on Savarkar, Venugopal said: “Don’t try to divert. Whatever issue between the Congress and Shiv Sena is there… we have already sorted it out. We will sort it out… don’t worry. Don’t divert… our main issue is the Adani issue…we want a JPC. We are going to the people of this country pressing that demand.”
Meanwhile, Uddhav Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that at the meeting held by Kharge, most of the Opposition leaders, including Pawar, told Rahul to refrain from making statements on Savarkar. “The talks are going on with Rahulji. We will soon sort out the issue. Those who attended the meeting at Kharge’s residence, including Sharad Pawar, told him to refrain from speaking on Savarkar, since currently the fight is with autocracy and not Savarkar,” he said, adding that Rahul had also agreed.
Apart from not joining Kharge’s dinner meeting, the Uddhav Sena had also stayed away from the Opposition protest at the Gandhi statue in Parliament and the MPs’ march to Vijay Chowk on Monday.
At his press conference on Saturday, asked how he views the BJP’s demand for an apology for his comments abroad, Rahul had said: “My name is not Savarkar. My name is Gandhi and Gandhi never apologises to anyone”.
On Sunday, Uddhav said he and his party would not tolerate insults to Savarkar. An editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, Saamana, on Monday said: “By making defamatory statements against Savarkar, the sympathy gained by Rahul Gandhi (over his disqualification) will start ebbing. This will, for sure, put the Maharashtra Congress in an uncomfortable position.”
Sources in the Uddhav Sena said its leaders will also convey their party’s unhappiness over Rahul’s remarks when they attend the Opposition meeting next.– With ENS, Mumbai
