12 April,2026 04:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. File Pic
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) lawmaker Sanjay Raut on Sunday strongly backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his allegations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pose a threat to the Constitution, even as Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis launched a sharp counter-attack, claiming that an atmosphere is building within the Congress to remove Gandhi from leadership due to repeated electoral defeats.
Reacting to Gandhi's remarks, Raut said the Congress leader was "speaking the truth" and alleged that recent developments in the country reflect a systematic attempt to undermine constitutional values.
"We are seeing what is happening in the country. The way the voting rights of lakhs of people in West Bengal have been taken away is a threat to the Constitution. Denying voting rights to specific caste and religious groups who are legitimate citizens of this country is also a threat to the Constitution. You are working against the Constitution," Raut said while speaking to reporters.
His remarks come amid an ongoing political war of words between opposition parties and the ruling establishment over electoral processes and constitutional safeguards. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader has consistently criticised the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of weakening democratic institutions and targeting opposition-ruled states.
Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP and RSS, alleging that their core objective is to dismantle the Constitution as they do not believe in equality among citizens.
"Without the Constitution, what we call India would not have been there. Today, the people who are of the mindset of RSS-BJP want to finish off the Constitution. Whatever they say, their main objective is to erase the Constitution because they don't want everyone in India to be considered an equal," Gandhi said.
Responding to these allegations, Fadnavis dismissed Gandhi's claims and said the Congress leader was attempting to divert attention from internal turmoil within his own party.
"An atmosphere is building up in the Congress to remove Rahul Gandhi, as he is unable to ensure election victories for the party," Fadnavis told reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Nagpur.
He alleged that Gandhi is "fighting for his own existence and to save his leadership" amid continuous electoral setbacks faced by the Congress.
Fadnavis further claimed that such statements were being made to shift focus away from what he described as organisational and leadership issues within the Congress party.
(With PTI and IANS inputs)
