MVA allies, BJP MP slam book comparing Modi with King Shivaji

Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, which are part of Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, and a BJP MP on Sunday criticised a book written by a BJP leader that compares Prime Minister Narendra Modi with warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. book titled "Aaj ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi" has been written by BJP's Jay Bhagwan Goyal. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said Goyal had earlier attacked Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi and abused Maharashtra and Marathi-speaking people.

Sanjay Raut takes on BJP

"Shabas (well done) BJP!," he taunted. Taking to Twitter, Raut said, "At least Maharashtra BJP should clarify its stand on issue. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj cant be compared with anybody in this world. re is only one sun, one moon and only one Shivaji Maharaj...Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj." Without naming former Satara MP Udayanraje Bhosale, Raut asked wher descendants of warrior king, who recently joined BJP agree with this view.

Bhosale, who is 13th descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji, had resigned as NCP MP within months of April 2019 general elections. He had later joined BJP and fought Lok Sabha bypoll from Satara as saffron party's candidate in October last year. However, he lost by-election.

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'People are expressing anger on social media' 

Talking to reporters, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje, who is also a descendant of warrior king, demanded a ban on book. "We respect Narendra Modi, who was elected as prime minister of country for second time. But neir Modi r anybody else in world can be compared with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," he said at Sindkhed Raja in Buldhana district of Maharashtra.

He demanded that BJP chief Amit Shah should immediately ban book, which was published in BJP's Delhi office. "People are expressing anger on social media over book and demanding a ban on it," Sambhaji Raje said. Maharashtra Social Justice minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde said BJP had hurt sentiments of Marathi people.

"body can be compared to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Maharashtra will never forgive those trying to do so," he said. State PWD Minister Ashok Chavan said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's personality and work are incomparable. " individual can even match legendary warrior king's toe nail," he said. Maharashtra Water Resources Minister and state NCP chief Jayant Patil also criticised book saying body can be compared to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja and if anyone tries to do that y should be keep in mind that.

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