Raut accuses government of trying to finish off Jarange as his use to it ends

Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray party MP Sanjay Raut launched a sharp attack on the state government in Nagpur over Manoj Jarange Patil's health. Raut alleged that Jarange is no longer of any use to the government, that his agitation has become like a noose around the government's neck, and that the government now wants to finish him off.

Calling Jarange's health condition worrying, Raut demanded that the heads of the government speak to him immediately. He said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should call an all-party meeting and find a solution, whether it is the Maratha reservation issue or the OBC reservation issue.

Raut also took an aggressive stand on the Shiv Sena's bow-and-arrow symbol. He alleged that the symbol originally belonged to Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sena and was stolen through a conspiracy via the Election Commission, and claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was behind all of this. He said that just as police seize stolen property in theft cases, the bow-and-arrow symbol should not be allowed to remain in the hands of the thieves. Alleging that the Shinde faction's lawyers were merely delaying the matter, he demanded daily hearings and an early verdict in the case.

Raut welcomed Amruta Fadnavis's stance that Muslim women should be allowed to participate in garba. But he also took a dig, saying Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the so-called neo-Hindutva leaders in his cabinet should also receive counselling. Pointing out that the Muslim community made a major contribution to India's freedom struggle and the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, Raut said Navratri's dandiya is a festival of public participation.

Raut also criticised Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar's remarks on the anti-defection law, saying Narwekar's language insulted the law.

Speaking on the unification of the Nationalist Congress Party, Raut said he was in talks with Rohit Pawar. He claimed that the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party is with the BJP, and that Ajit Pawar's decision to go with the BJP was taken only out of compulsion. He expressed confidence that the Nationalist Congress Party remains Sharad Pawar's own party and that Sharad Pawar will never go with the BJP.

Raut also cornered the government over State Minorities Commission chairman Pyare Khan's prison visit to Mumbai blast case accused Abu Salem. Since Pyare Khan was appointed by this very government, Raut demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his colleagues explain the matter.

Raut also made a sarcastic jibe over an award Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is set to receive, challenging him to "come to London carrying the Bhavani sword" as he targeted the government on the issue.

Speaking on the Enforcement Directorate's action against Congress ministers in Karnataka, Raut brought up alleged scams in Maharashtra, asking where the ED was when scams took place in Maharashtra and in the Ram temple trust.