Hopefully Maharashtra govt will bring in maximum funds. It is in financial crisis: Sanjay Raut

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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday expressed hope that the Maharashtra government would be able to secure substantial financial support to help tackle the state's ongoing economic difficulties.

The statement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The meeting focused on the theme ‘Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047', outlining a long-term development vision for India as it approaches 100 years of independence.

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Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Raut commented, "NITI Aayog meetings keep happening for the country's progress. Hopefully the Maharashtra government will bring in maximum funds for the state as it is in a financial crisis."

He also took the opportunity to criticise the government's response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

Raut said, "Prime Minister Modi and his people were urging others not to politicise the Pahalgam terror attack. Both the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister made this appeal. However, PM Modi is now the first to politicise the issue himself. Same thing happened in Uri and Pulwama."

Sanjay Raut also questioned the Centre's commitment to cooperative federalism, alleging that central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are being misused as ‘weapons' by the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to target opposition leaders.

Referring to his own experience with ED raids, Raut argued that such practices contradict the Union government's appeal for greater cooperation from states in the process of nation-building.

During the press conference, Raut also highlighted the Supreme Court's recent criticism of the ED regarding its actions in the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) case, using it to underscore concerns about the agency's conduct.

"What is new here? I am a victim too (of ED). I have been through that, there are several others like me. ED is a weapon of the BJP, of PM Modi, of Home Minister Amit Shah. As long as there is ED, there is Modi-Shah and BJP." Raut said.

Commenting on Rahul Gandhi's criticism of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stood by the Congress MP, asserting that there was ‘nothing wrong' in holding the government accountable. He also stated that the general public believes Pakistan is not to be trusted.

Gandhi had earlier shared a video clip of Jaishankar's interview, asserting that ‘India's foreign policy has collapsed.'

Previously, Gandhi had called out Jaishankar, accusing him of maintaining silence on the number of aircraft the Indian Air Force lost during Operation Sindoor. He said the country ‘deserves the truth.'

"EAM Jaishankar's silence isn't just telling - it's damning. So I'll ask again: How many Indian aircraft did we lose because Pakistan knew? This wasn't a lapse. It was a crime. And the nation deserves the truth," Gandhi wrote on X.

Responding to this, Raut said, "What is wrong with the question Rahul Gandhi has asked? Every citizen of the country has this question in their mind. It is not just the BJP's supporters who have this question. The 1.4 billion people of the country will always believe this: that you cannot trust Pakistan. That is the first point. The second point is, what benefit do we have from Trump? Trump has only harmed us. Our ongoing efforts were focused on fighting terrorism; it was not about grabbing land like Israel."

Raut emphasized that Rahul Gandhi's queries echo the concerns of the common people.

"To eliminate terrorism, we started a fight with Pakistan, but Trump stopped it. Trump caused harm to us. If Rahul Gandhi has asked this question, then it is the question in the minds of the people. The third question he asked is also true. Our blood boils; our veins carry the blood of patriotism. When the sindoor (vermilion) of 26 women was wiped out, our blood boiles," he added.

He also criticized the government's rhetoric and questioned the response taken against Pakistan.

"I have seen that Pakistan's Prime Minister has said that they have taken revenge for the defeat of 1971. This is the kind of language they are using. What kind of revenge have you taken? What courage does it take to use such language? In 1971, when Pakistan had to accept defeat during Indira Gandhi's time, their language was not like this. In 1965, under the leadership of Lal Bahadur Shastri, we made Pakistan bite the dust, yet their language was not like this then. But during Prime Minister Modi's tenure, Sharif is saying that they have taken revenge for 1971. The government should be ashamed," Raut said.

(With input from ANI)