Sanjay Raut mocks NCP merger talk: even cows and buffaloes do not chew the cud this much

Political talk about a merger of the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party is intensifying in the state. Different claims are being made on whether the parties of Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar will unite. Asked about it, Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut expressed annoyance with the media. Raut said, "Does a merger run the country? Even cows and buffaloes do not chew the cud this much."

Raut said it hardly matters whether the two NCP factions unite or not. According to him, the country faces many questions. Farmers are distressed, drought conditions prevail and the problems of ordinary people are not being solved. Yet the talk all day is only of the merger. Raut said sarcastically that the discussion had gone too far and that one day the minds of those discussing it would explode. He also said Sharad Pawar himself was enjoying the talk.

Raut said Sharad Pawar always keeps an eye on farmers' issues, so he should also pay attention to the matter of Gokul in Kolhapur. According to Raut, Prime Minister Narendra Modi phoned Pawar and said the two of them would resolve the country's problems together. Pawar should therefore now write to Modi and demand that the Gokul issue be resolved first, Raut said, offering the advice in a sarcastic tone. He also alleged that Gokul was being run in a manner against democracy.

A meeting of minister Pratap Sarnaik at Raut's house also came up in discussion. Raut said Sarnaik and his mother have had a warm relationship for years. He comes home at Diwali, will eat besan laddoo and chakli and take the mother's blessings. Raut made clear there was no political signal in it.

Asked whether the two Shiv Senas would unite, Raut said no. He hinted, "There are two factions within the Shinde faction. There are two Shindes in the Shinde faction, find them yourselves."

Ramdas Kadam has alleged that Sunil Tatkare had a hand in Ajit Pawar's accident. Raut said no one appears serious about investigating the accident. He demanded that if those making the allegations have any evidence, it should be taken cognisance of and an inquiry held.