Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut
Taking a jibe at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that the Congress-led coalition government will come to power in 2024 and end the rule of the existing one-party government.
Speaking to reporters after addressing the JS Karandikar Memorial Lecture organized by Pune Press Club, Sanjay Raut said, “No government can be formed without Congress, which is a prominent and deeply rooted party in the country. Congress is the main opposition party. There are other regional parties too.”
Asked about political strategist Prashant Kishor’s alleged statement that the BJP would be in power for several decades, Raut said the BJP would remain in politics but as an opposition party. He said, “The BJP claims that it is the largest party in the world. If the world’s largest party loses the elections they will become the opposition. For example, in Maharashtra, the BJP is the main opposition party with 105 MLAs. “
Shiv Sena, a split ally of the BJP in Maharashtra, shares power with the NCP and the Congress.
Speaking about the upcoming assembly elections in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Raut said, “Currently we are concentrating in Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Goa.
It’s time for the UP elections. We are small players in UP but we will fight elections.”
Earlier, while addressing the lecture, Raut also outlined the various challenges faced by the media.
“For the last two years, media persons are not allowed in the Central Hall of Parliament, citing the reason for the coronavirus pandemic by the ruling party.
But the real reason behind the ban is the fear that many things could come to the fore if journalists are being asked to keep their distance from journalists, if journalists are allowed to speak to ministers. He (Central government) has asked ministers to keep distance from journalists, even those who are under scrutiny. The media was not stopped even during the Emergency, as it is now.”
He outlined the various challenges being faced by the print and electronic media. Raut alleged that the (Centre) government only wanted favorable reporting.
“Following the news of a newspaper floating dead bodies in the Ganges river (in the worst phase of the COVID-19 pandemic), the Income Tax department raided the offices of that newspaper,” he said.
He alleged that industries which needed license to operate were created to invest in media organizations so that they (government) could control the media. “The top ten industries have bought media houses. The government is behind this,” he alleged.
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