Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut attacked the BJP over the rejection of Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination papers, sarcastically questioning the party's commitment to the 'Nari Samman Yojana' by saying, "Ghanta Nari Samman."
"If Meenakshi Natarajan, an honest and committed woman leader, can have her nomination rejected under pressure, then what ‘Ghanta’ 'Nari Samman' and 'Nari Vandana'?" Raut asked. He alleged that while other candidates had been granted 24 hours to rectify deficiencies in their nomination papers, the same opportunity was denied to Natarajan.
Calling the episode an attack on democratic values, Raut said, "This is the murder of democracy. Meenakshi Natarajan is among the sincere political leaders in the country, and denying her a fair chance raises serious questions."
The Rajya Sabha MP also reiterated his view that various political parties and factions that originally emerged from the Congress should reunite under the Congress banner to strengthen the opposition at the national level.
"I have consistently maintained that leaders and parties that broke away from the Congress should come together again under the Congress flag. The country needs a strong Congress capable of providing leadership and presenting a credible alternative," he said.
Without naming specific parties, Raut pointed out that several regional outfits, including those led by former Congress leaders, continue to depend on the Congress for electoral support in different states.
He cited recent meetings between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi as evidence that opposition unity requires cooperation with the Congress.
"Every party that has emerged from the Congress fold eventually seeks the Congress' support. Instead of fighting separately, they should think about uniting and strengthening the party," Raut said.
Raut added that discussions regarding greater opposition unity and the possibility of former Congress factions working together were already taking place within political circles.
