Sanjay Raut takes a U-turn; praises Rahul Gandhi after slamming Congress for 'mess in MVA'

Even as he slammed ally Congress party via an editorial in Saamana, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut praised former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in what seemed an attempt at dam control. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday evening, Sanjay Raut asserted that  Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was stable and Rahul Gandhi is a 'good leader.'

Raut, who is executive editor of Saamana, said NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and Shiv Sena - all wanted  coalition. He had in his editorial compared 'old-guards of Congress' to squeaking cot. However, taking a U-turn, he said that  matter how many times cot creaks, Rahul Gandhi is 'mechanic'. This comes even as Rahul Gandhi had earlier issued statement claiming that his party is t a 'decision-maker' in Maharashtra. 

"NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and Shiv Sena, everyone wants governmenr to be stable and wants it to complete full term. I used phrase 'squeaking cot', I meant, matter how many times cot creaks, Rahul Gandhi is mechanic who can repair it and ensure its maintenance. He is a good leader," Raut added.

READ | Shiv Sena shames ally Congress for creating hurdles for CM Uddhav; tells it to be like NCP

Saamana slams Congress

Lashing out at its alliance partner in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena via its mouthpiece Saamana said that old guard of Congress is creating 'ise' and blamed m for triggering political chaos amid Coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, Sena in its mouthpiece said that senior leaders of NCP are t raising differences but Congress leaders have developed a habit to raise issues for CM Uddhav Thackeray in every three months. Slamming Congress party while hailing NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and 'sacrifice' of Shiv Sena in formation of MVA government, Saamana editorial added that Congress leaders have got ministerial berths - 'as many as y wanted', yet y are 'squeaking like an old bed.' 

READ | Congress-Shiv Sena bickering, 'Guardian' Sharad Pawar's NCP plays Maharashtra peacemaker

In clear sarcasm aimed at Congress leaders, Saamana said: "Even if we are fighting Coronavirus pandemic, CM Uddhav should first listen to Congress leaders because y are third pillar of Maharashtra government." Sena's editorial on Congress comes after several leaders of grand-old party issued statements ackwledging tussle within alliance. 

READ | 'Uddhav sacrificed, didn't want to be CM. I didn't taunt Cong': Sanjay Raut stands ground

Congress admits cracks in MVA

Confirming cracks within MVA, Congress leader and minister in CM Thackeray's cabinet Ashok Chavan on Sunday, June 14 said that re are 'some issues' and that party is trying to meet CM. Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat on June 11 after meeting with senior Congress leaders admitted that his party has certain grievances with ruling government. Moreover, on May 26, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi observed that Congress party is t key decision-maker in Maharashtra unlike Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Puducherry.

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