Raut tells Fadnavis to watch the border first after China funding charge against Rahul Gandhi

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has hit back at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who made serious allegations against the INDIA bloc and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying they were receiving funding from China. Raut told Fadnavis to talk about Chinese funding later and first pay attention to the country's borders.

The political climate in the country, and especially in the state, has taken a different turn. The Opposition has raised the issue of vote theft and is demanding that Gyanesh Kumar resign. The ruling side, on the other hand, is accusing the Opposition of spreading anarchy in the country. It is said that for the past few days there has been a conflict on the India-China border. Against this backdrop, Raut's statement has become a talking point.

At a rally in Thane, Fadnavis had criticised the Congress and Rahul Gandhi over Chinese funding. Responding, Raut said that China was making moves in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, and that Fadnavis should look there before looking into the funding. Raising the issue of Chinese incursion, he took on the BJP. Raut also claimed that China's influence was growing in Nepal. He said politics was being played over funding instead of speaking about the country's borders.

The BJP had criticised the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan, saying leaders from Maharashtra were not given a chance to speak. Raut responded to this as well. According to him, the crowd at the rally had been swelling since morning, the speeches ran long and the press of the crowd reached the stage. As a result, Rahul Gandhi had to cut his speech short, Raut said. Taking a swipe at the BJP, he said that if the party had been this concerned about Maharashtra, it would not have split the Shiv Sena.

Raut also criticised the counter-rally held by the BJP. He said a wave had risen against Modi and the BJP did not realise what was really going on in the country. He also criticised Modi and his associates, claiming that cases would be brought against them and they would have to go to jail.

The row that began with the allegation of Chinese funding is likely to escalate further, and the exchange of charges and counter-charges may sharpen in the coming days.