"Abusers are BJP leaders": Sanjay Raut shifts blame over derogatory remarks on PM Modi during Voter Adhikar Yatra

Patna (Bihar) [India], September 1 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday claimed that nobody from the opposition was abusing anyone, instead shifting the blame onto BJP leaders.
Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP said, "Nobody is abusing anyone...Modi ji himself started the program of abusing each other on the national stage in politics. Now, PM Modi and the BJP are scared. Be it Rahul Gandhi or Tejashwi Yadav, show me if anyone abused anyone...I have also followed the Yatra..."
This comes after derogatory remarks were made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother during the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Darbhanga, where some individuals used abusive language on stage, sparking widespread condemnation.
The incident led to clashes between BJP and Congress workers in Patna, with the police registering a case and arresting the man accused of hurling abuses against PM Modi.
Raut further said that these BJP leaders enter the crowd and abuse and put the blame on the Opposition. "Some people in the crowd are abused and the abusers are BJP leaders," he added.
Earlier on Friday, the man accused of hurling abuses at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother during a political rally in Bihar was arrested, Darbhanga Senior Superintendent of Police told ANI.
The arrest followed the circulation of a purported video on the internet showing the accused directing abusive slurs at PM Modi during an INDIA bloc event. The incident had sparked a political row in the poll-bound state of Bihar.
The BJP and Congress workers clashed in Bihar's Patna on Friday over the alleged derogatory remarks against the Prime Minister and his late mother. Stones were pelted at the site as the BJP staged a protest against the Congress in front of the Congress office in Patna.
Earlier today, Raut said that he will join Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav in Patna for the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra'. Raut called the yatra a 'unique movement to save democracy' and said it has sparked awareness across the country.
In a post on X, Sanjay Raut wrote, "I will join Shri Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav in the Voting Rights Yatra in Patna today. This is a unique movement to save democracy in our country. It has sparked awareness nationwide."
He also accused the BJP of coming to power by 'stealing votes' and said the yatra has given people hope against electoral injustice.
"Maharashtra too has witnessed vote theft with open eyes. Modi and his party came to power by stealing votes. How long will we tolerate this? The Voting Rights Yatra has given the people hope!" the post read.
The 16-day yatra, taken out by Rahul Gandhi to highlight the alleged case of 'vote chori' (vote theft) by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the alleged irregularities in the voter list by the Election Commission of India (ECI), will conclude in Patna today. The rally began on August 18, with Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav riding together in Sasaram. From there, the rally spanned across 25 districts, to Aurangabad, Gayaji, Siwan, and others.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders Yusuf Pathan and Lalitesh Pati Tripathi are also set to join the Rahul Gandhi-led Voter Adhikar Yatra on its concluding day in Patna. (ANI)