In New Dig At BJP, Sanjay Raut Says Sena First To Fight Poll On Hindutva
NDTV
The remarks come amid a war of words between BJP and Sena that started with Uddhav Thackeray's speech on Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary
Stepping up his party's attack on the BJP, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut today said the Sena was the first party in the country to contest an election on "Hindutva" plank and that it was after its win that the BJP approached Bal Thackeray for an alliance.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Raut said Sena's Ramesh Prabhu had contested and won a bypoll to the Vile Parle Assembly seat in Mumbai in 1987-88 and retained it in 1990.
It was the first time Hindutva was mentioned in electoral politics in the country, adding that the Congress and BJP had also contested the election.
"It is after this victory that the BJP approached Shiv Sena for an alliance on Hindutva which Balasaheb (Thackeray) agreed to as he didn't want a division of Hindu votes. Contemporary BJP leaders are unaware of this history," Mr Raut said in a veiled dig at Leader of the Opposition Devendra Fadnavis.
