Raut said Rahul Gandhi’s political atmosphere may cause cross-voting in other states during elections
Mumbai
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said the BJP was reaching out to INDIA bloc parties for support in the upcoming vice presidential election, reflecting unease within the NDA. He suggested that MPs from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana may cross-vote in favour of Opposition nominee B. Sudershan Reddy.
Drawing a comparison, Raut recalled how the Shiv Sena, while allied with the BJP in 2007, supported Congress-led UPA’s candidate Pratibha Patil because she hailed from Maharashtra. “The NDA fears MPs from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana may back the Opposition candidate from their state,” he remarked.
Raut also said there was a possibility of cross-voting in other states due to the political atmosphere created by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “On paper, the NDA has the majority, but there is uneasiness. Even the duplicate Shiv Sena will cross-vote,” he alleged.
Earlier this week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reached out to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar, seeking their support. Commenting on the move, Raut accused the BJP of approaching the very parties it had previously split.
He stressed that the Sena (UBT) would firmly vote for the Opposition’s candidate. “Uddhav Thackeray has taken a strong stand against dictatorship,” he said.
The NDA has nominated Maharashtra Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan for the September 9 election, while the INDIA bloc has fielded former Supreme Court judge Sudershan Reddy.
“Why are you seeking votes if you claim to have a majority?” Raut questioned, sharpening his attack on the ruling alliance.
