Mumbai: Senior Schiff Senna leader Sanjay Raut made some sensational claims in his new book Narkatil Swarg (Paradise in Hell), which caused a stir in the political world. Raut claims that NCP (SP) head Sharad Pawar played a decisive role in saving Narendra Modi and Amit Shah when Godhra Riots faced a strong investigation in the state of Godhra Riots.
“When Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat, there was a UPA government in the centre and many investigative agencies, including many investigative agencies, launched operations against him. During that time, the Modi government, as well as many police officers of Amit Shah, were arrested.
At this critical juncture, then-Agriculture Minister Pawar in the coalition government held a firm stand at the cabinet meeting and said that “the arrest and imprisonment of democratically elected chief ministers is incorrect.” Lauter said that Modi was arrested due to the tacit agreement of many ministers.
In the murder case in Gujarat, a special team of the CBI strongly opposed bail to Amit Shah. However, Modi himself sought help from Pavar, while the veteran leader intervened in his own way and secured Shah’s bail, the Sena (UBT) leader claimed.
Rat wrote in his book that the late Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of Shiv Sena, also saved Shah. Rajya Sabha MP claims Shah was concerned that despite being arrested on the verge of arrest, he joined his son Jay Shah to conduct an unannounced visit to Thackeray’s residence Matoshree (Thackeray’s Residence). Shah refused to enter his first attempt the next day, returned the next day, and finally managed to meet with the Sena patriarch.
Raut claimed that at their meeting, Shah reportedly became emotional and called for help and told Balasaheb Thackeray that his loyalty to Hindutva now put him and his family in danger.
Balasaheb was moved by a cautious but decisive call in the appeal. Raut’s book quoted Balasaheb Thackeray to the unnamed recipient: “No matter what capacity and chair you have, don’t forget to be a Hindus.” Raut said the call eased Amit Shah’s legal barriers and “played a key role in shaping his political rise.”
“But, Amit Shah and Modi remember Sharad Pawar’s help?” Rat asked the question. He also mentioned the support of Modi-Shah by Balasaheb Thackeray and Shiv Sena during this period, but, he said, after taking office, Modi and Shah rejected those who had been standing by him. He wrote: “Amit Shah forgot all these benefits and was very cruel to the Shiv Sena and Thackeray family.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis responded to Raut’s claims, mocking the UBT leader, calling his book “teenage literature”.
“I’m no longer reading novels and stories. I’m no longer reading things that are suitable for kids at age. So, I don’t read these things,” Fadnavis said.
