A day after kicking up a storm in the coalition by claiming that late Indira Gandhi frequently met underworld don Karim Lala, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said he was referring to the situation that prevailed 40 years ago. Retracting his statement, Raut also asked his Congress "friends" to not overreact as he has immense respect for the former prime minister.

The fuming leaders of the Congress vented their discontentment on social media. The party also conveyed to the Sena leadership its displeasure and sought an explanation from Raut, who played a major role in putting the Maha Vikas Aghadi together.